NEW DELHI: Indian farmers protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agricultural reforms began a day-long hunger strike at various border points near Delhi, exerting greater pressure on the Indian government to accept their demand of withdrawing the three controversial farm laws.

According to the Indian media, farmer unions have announced that protests will also be held in other parts of the country.

Indian farmers have been holding protests for nearly 20 days now, against the deregulation of the agriculture sector and are demanding to repeal new farm laws passed by the Modi government.

A day-long hunger strike by farmers was underway in Delhi on Monday, as the protests spread to different parts of the country, with peasant unions staging demonstrations at district headquarters, Indian media reported.

Indian farmers’ leader Baldev Singh said, “Representatives of farmer unions have started their hunger strike at Singhu Border.” The hunger strike began at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm. As part of the nationwide protest, protests will be staged at all district headquarters across the country on Monday.

As talks with the government remain inconclusive, Indian farmer unions have intensified their protest and more people are expected to join the ongoing commotion at Delhi border points. Farmer union leaders claimed that demonstrations were also being held in several district headquarters.

In view of the nationwide protest, the Delhi Police has enhanced security at city border points. Multi-layered cemented barriers, additional police force and barbed wires formed the first layer of security at the protest site at the Singhu border. The second layer of barricades deployed by the Delhi Police is being guarded by a team of the Rapid Action Force along with paramilitary forces. The traffic police has issued advisory to commuters to take alternative routes in view of the farmers’ protests.

The story was filed by the News Desk. The Desk can be reached at info@thecorrespondent.com.pk.

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