AVN WEB DESK
NEW DELHI: Tension escalated for the second consecutive day in India as farmers demanding minimum crop prices clashed with security forces while attempting to enter the capital, New Delhi.
Drone footage captured the scene as tear gas shells were used by police amidst the confrontation.
Travelling in convoys stocked with provisions, including food and bedding, hundreds of farmers commenced their march towards Delhi following unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding minimum crop prices.
The standoff unfolded at the Shambhu border, approximately 200km from farmers intended destination New Delhi, where security forces halted their advance.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, reiterated the farmers’ demand for direct engagement with Prime Minister Nerendra Modi, citing unfulfilled promises regarding crop pricing.
Heightened security measures were also evident at other entry points to the Indian capital, with barricades, cement blocks, and reinforced barriers erected to block farmers’ convoys. Anti-riot personnel remained on standby, given the tension surrounding the protests.
In 2021, sustained farmers’ protests prompted the government to repeal contentious farm laws and pledge support prices for agricultural produce. With national elections on the horizon, these renewed demonstrations highlight the enduring influence of this crucial voting bloc
