India police fire tear gas at protesting farmers on Delhi march
Police in India have used teargas on protesting farmers who had resumed their march towards the capital Delhi after four rounds of unsuccessful talks with the government.
The farmers are demanding assured prices for their crops. They say the government has not kept its promises – made during the 2020-21 protests, and also have demands including pensions and a debt waiver.
Delhi’s borders were reinforced with multiple layers of barricades and barbed wires in an attempt to prevent their entry. However, protesters issued warnings of intent to use heavy machinery to breach the barriers.
At the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana states, thousands of farmers congregated, preparing to push past obstacles using bulldozers and earthmovers. Despite their efforts, police fired teargas as the protesters attempted to move forward, according to BBC Punjabi reports. Demonstrators, meanwhile, equipped themselves with masks, gloves, and safety suits to shield against the teargas.