Tens of thousands of farmers across India took to the streets Tuesday during a nationwide strike demanding the scrapping of new agricultural laws, intensifying an almost fortnight long standoff with the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The daylong shutdown, called by several farm groups, impacted traffic and movement in some parts of the country. Wholesale agricultural markets in Mumbai and Delhi were shut, while highways were blocked in some states such as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, according to news reports.
Borders connecting the capital New Delhi with the northern Uttar Pradesh and Haryana states remained closed causing traffic snarls. Farmers have been camping out at these border points for a 13th day Tuesday and thousands of police and paramilitary troops have been mobilized to prevent the protesters from entering the Indian capital.
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