Thousands of protesting farmers enter Delhi defying water cannon and police crackdown

By Dilip -

Farmers from India's Punjab state have begun entering Delhi to protest reforms they say are against their interests. Thousands of them marched to Delhi, where barricades at the border led to clashes with police. But they are now being escorted by the police to a protest site where they say they will continue demonstrating. The government denies that the reforms, which open the farming sector to private players, will hurt farmers. "Protesting farmers will be allowed to enter the national capital," the Delhi Police Commissioner told local media, adding that they will be allowed to protest and urged them do so peacefully.

The farmers have been marching to the capital since early this week. Two farmers associations put out a statement on Friday saying that they expect 50,000 farmers to reach the Delhi border from the neighbouring state of Haryana. Local media reports say drone cameras have been deployed for security surveillance at the Delhi-Haryana border.

The farmers are desperate to enter Delhi, says BBC Hindi's Dilnawaz Pasha, who is with a group of farmers near the border. "They are travelling with trolleys full of rice and grains and are cooking their own food. They say they're ready for a long battle." Photos and videos show dramatic visuals of the farmers clashing with police, who have used tear gas and water cannons to stop them.... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54930384

Farmers insist on entering Delhi

Farmers protesting against the three agriculture laws that the Narendra Modi government passed earlier this year have been allowed to enter Delhi - but only up to the Nirankari Ground in Burari, at the northern edge of the city. But farmers have decided to spend the night at the Singhu Border, and hold a meeting Saturday on whether to move to Burari. The Centre’s decision to allow them into Delhi was welcomed by supporters of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march as well as Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, but it came only after tense scenes ensued through the day at the Singhu border with Haryana in north Delhi....

https://theprint.in/india/farmers-allowed-protest-delhi-tear-gas-water-cannons-remain-at-border/553104/

Braving water cannon and police crackdown, farmers enter Delhi

Farmers' protests live updates

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