FARM PROTESTERS WARNED AGAINST TELECOM ATTACKS

India’s major grain-growing state of Punjab on Monday asked police to crack down on farmers and sympathizers vandalizing telecommunication masts as they intensify their weeks-long protests against farm deregulation.

Protesters have attacked hundreds of masts of companies such as conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd. that they believe have profited from the farm reforms at their expense.

Tens of thousands of farmers are camping out on highways near New Delhi demanding a repeal of the new laws they fear will lead to corporate dominance.

Punjab’s chief minister Amarinder Singh said the “use of violence could alienate the protesters from the masses.”