Desperate Indian farmers march on parliament
NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of farmers and agricultural workers marched towards the Indian parliament Friday demanding debt waivers and higher crop prices, putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of 2019 elections.
Farmers from across the country flooded by train and bus into Delhi since Thursday to mass in the capital city's Ramlila Grounds before marching to parliament.
Organisers said some 80,000 farmers and farm labourers were participating in the two-day agitation that will culminate with a petition to the Indian president after the march was stopped half-a-mile ahead of the parliament house.
Police erected hundreds of steel barricades to stop the marching crowds and kept water cannon on stand-by in case of any disorder.
Farmers from across the country flooded by train and bus into Delhi since Thursday to mass in the capital city's Ramlila Grounds before marching to parliament.
Organisers said some 80,000 farmers and farm labourers were participating in the two-day agitation that will culminate with a petition to the Indian president after the march was stopped half-a-mile ahead of the parliament house. Police erected hundreds of steel barricades to stop the marching crowds and kept water cannon on stand-by in case of any disorder.