Indian authorities heavily increased security at three main protest sites outside New Delhi’s border on Tuesday, adding iron spikes, steel barricades and hundreds of riot police in an attempt to stop tens of thousands of demonstrating farmers from entering the capital.
In Ghazipur, one of the protest sites, iron nails were embedded along the main highway. Cemented barricades were wrapped with coils of barbed wires as government forces guarded what looked like a security fortress.
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Indian authorities heavily increased security at three main protest sites outside New Delhi’s border on Tuesday, adding iron spikes, steel barricades and hundreds of riot police in an attempt to stop tens of thousands of demonstrating farmers from entering the capital.
Devender Singh, a protesting farmer from central Uttar Pradesh state, said the new security arrangements were intended to scare them away. “But farmers won't run away so easily,” he said.
One protester died and several hundred police officers were injured in the clashes. Officials have not said how many farmers were injured.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or United Farmers Front, a coalition of farmers spearheading the protests, said the measures are “part of multiple attacks being organized by the government, police and administration.”
Nine rounds of talks between the government and the farmers have failed to end the stalemate.
Images of the barricades were widely shared on social media, with many comparing them to heavily militarized border fences.
Indian para-military force soldiers stand guard at Delhi-Utttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Indian authorities Tuesday heavily ramped up security along three main protest sites outside New Delhi's border, using cemented iron spikes, steel barricades and deployed hundreds of police in riot gear in their latest attempt to thwart the growing farmers' protest on the edges of the capital. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
Devender Singh, a protesting farmer from central Uttar Pradesh state, said the new security arrangements were intended to scare them away. “But farmers won't run away so easily,” he said.
The months-long farmer protests have rattled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Tens of thousands of farmers have camped on the outskirts of the city, braving the cold and rain, in a largely peaceful protest against new agriculture reform laws they say will devastate their income and make farmers vulnerable to corporate greed.
The heavy security and added measures come a week after the protests turned violent when farmers on tractors, horses and on foot broke through barricades and clashed with police to enter the city. They stormed New Delhi's 17th century Red Fort in a brief but dramatic takeover on Jan. 26, India's Republic Day.
Indian farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, left in green cap, talks to media and his supporters in front of barbed wires and barricades at Delhi-Utttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Indian authorities Tuesday heavily ramped up security along three main protest sites outside New Delhi's border, using cemented iron spikes, steel barricades and deployed hundreds of police in riot gear in their latest attempt to thwart the growing farmers' protest on the edges of the capital. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
One protester died and several hundred police officers were injured in the clashes. Officials have not said how many farmers were injured.
The situation remains tense, with authorities extending an internet shutdown at the protest sites to midnight Tuesday.
On Monday, Twitter temporarily suspended the account of one of the protesting farmers' groups, Kisan Ekta Morcha, but restored it hours later after online outrage. The social media platform said in a statement that it acted upon a “valid legal request” issued by an authority, adding that it may withhold access to “certain content” if it receives a “properly scoped request from an authorized entity.”
Indian paramilitary force soldiers stand against layers of barricades at Delhi-Utttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Indian authorities Tuesday heavily ramped up security along three main protest sites outside New Delhi's border, using cemented iron spikes, steel barricades and deployed hundreds of police in riot gear in their latest attempt to thwart the growing farmers' protest on the edges of the capital. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or United Farmers Front, a coalition of farmers spearheading the protests, said the measures are “part of multiple attacks being organized by the government, police and administration.”
The group has said it will hold a three-hour nationwide strike on Saturday.
Rahul Gandhi, senior leader of the main opposition Congress Party, condemned the new measures, tweeting: “Build bridges, not walls!”
Iron spikes are seen along with cemented barricades at Delhi-Utttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Indian authorities Tuesday heavily ramped up security along three main protest sites outside New Delhi's border, using cemented iron spikes, steel barricades and deployed hundreds of police in riot gear in their latest attempt to thwart the growing farmers' protest on the edges of the capital. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
Nine rounds of talks between the government and the farmers have failed to end the stalemate.
Farmers say the new laws will lead to the cartelization and commercialization of agriculture. The Modi government has said the reforms will benefit farmers and boost production through private investment.
Stray dogs sit around heavily barbed wire barricading at Delhi-Utttar Pradesh border, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Indian authorities Tuesday heavily ramped up security along three main protest sites outside New Delhi's border, using cemented iron spikes, steel barricades and deployed hundreds of police in riot gear in their latest attempt to thwart the growing farmers' protest on the edges of the capital. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)