INDIA POLICE USE TEAR GAS ON FARMERS DEMANDING HIGHER CROP PRICES Protests against the government to honor a 2021 promise to pay them more
Police in India on Tuesday (February 13) fired tear gas at hundreds of farmers and their supporters who were marching to New Delhi to pressure the government to honor a 2021 promise to pay them more for crops.
Security in the capital was tightened after farm unions from northern breadbasket states called for protests a day after talks with ministers aimed at securing minimum prices for a range of crops failed.
At midday, police fired teargas to disperse marchers at a border crossing between Punjab and Haryana states, about 230 km (143 miles) north of Delhi and where many had joined the march.
The march is latest in a series of similar protests which began more than two years ago and comes months ahead of national elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term, with farmers forming an influential voting bloc.
Farm unions are seeking guarantees, backed by law, to provide more state support or buy crops at a minimum price. They also want the government to honor a promise to double their income.