Thousands of farmers protested in the Indian capital on Thursday, March 14, intensifying their demands for higher crop prices weeks before a national election is expected to be announced.
Most of the farmers, hailing from the northern state of Punjab, staged a largely peaceful sit-down rally at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.
The protest, part of a “Delhi Chalo” (Let’s go to Delhi) march that began last month, seeks higher guaranteed prices for crops. However, demonstrators were met with tear gas and water cannons by police approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the capital when they first attempted to march.
In the neighboring suburb of Noida, barricades and a heavy police presence, including officers in riot gear, led to significant traffic and route diversions into Delhi.
