Indian farmers digging in for a longer battle

Indian farmers are showing no signs of easing up in their monthslong battle to have the government scrap newly introduced laws that they say will make them worse off.

The farmers－mostly from the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh－have been camping at several border points around the capital New Delhi since Nov 26.

They remain adamant in their demand that three farm laws be repealed. The government says the legislation enables reform of an inefficient sector that employs vast numbers of Indians.

The farmers also reject the suggestion by critics that their movement has been weakened after violent clashes between members of their ranks and police in New Delhi on Jan 26, the country's Republic Day. The critics also contend that many farmers have left the protest sites around the capital.

"If at all farmers have left, they have done so temporarily, to tend to their crops that are due for harvesting," said Balvir Singh, one of the protesters at an encampment at Singhu, near the Delhi-Haryana state border.

So far, 127 people have been arrested in connection with the Republic Day protests. One man was killed in the violence that erupted at a number of locations in the capital, and hundreds were injured.

The government says the new laws will change the way the agricultural sector operates and open up new ways for farmers to increase their income. But farmers say they will make the sector vulnerable to exploitation by private traders.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmers have failed to end the deadlock. The government, which ensured the enactment of the laws by the parliament in September, has offered to defer their implementation for 18 months. But it refuses to abandon the legislation.

The January violence prompted some to pull out of the protests. But those remaining decided to intensify their actions, with a new call for a nationwide strike this month.

"Farmer agitation against the laws may continue till December this year," said Rakesh Tikait, a leader of the farmers.

The farmers are now building brick houses at their camps near Delhi's border, signaling their intention to dig in for the long haul. Police have registered two cases against farmers for allegedly raising a concrete wall structure and digging a bore well on a highway near the Singhu protest site.

Thousands of farmers remain unfazed. Now they are bracing for scorching summer temperatures that can hit 45 C.

"We are not going anywhere and will fight till the end," said Swaranjit Singh, 60, who has been camping at Singhu since December, braving severe cold and rain.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.