- NEW DELHI, 06 FEB - Tens of thousands of policemen have been deployed across India to face new planned farmers protests against government agricultural reforms.
Ten subway stations have been closed in central New Delhi - where a rally of tractors last month resulted in violent clashes - and thousands of officers have placed barriers and checkpoints at major intersections.
Farmers' unions called for protest roadblocks across the country and today, along with their supporters, they occupied roads and toll booths in several states for three hours without any incidents being reported.
A heavy deployment of agents was ordered in the state of Uttar Pradesh, a traditional pro-government stronghold.
Since November, tens of thousands of farmers have camped on the outskirts of Delhi, demanding the repeal of the reforms to liberalize the agricultural produce market.
According to the farmers, the changes mean that the agricultural sector will be taken over by the major conglomerates.
While the authorities have increased pressure on the protests by cutting off water supplies internally, the farmers have promised to continue their campaign for more months.
Rakesh Tikait, one of the leaders of the farmers, said today that the protests would continue until October 2, unless the government repealed the new laws.
