Indian farmers, part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, are taking down drones with kites.
A few farmers who were taking part in the “Delhi Chalo” march took to the skies on Wednesday in an attempt to down a drone that the Haryana security forces had sent to shoot tear gas at demonstrators near the Shambhu border in the state’s Ambala district.
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The unmanned aerial vehicle’s use of tear gas canisters, which injured multiple protestors, infuriated the demonstrators.
“We are flying kites to bring the drone down,” one of the young farmers said.
“It’s not right hurling tear gas shells on farmers. It is completely wrong,” another farmer said.
In Punjab, kite flying has long been popular, especially among young people and children. The skies were dotted with vibrant kites of various shapes and sizes, particularly on Wednesday during Basant Panchmi and the Lohri festival.
The “Delhi Chalo” movement is being led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to exert pressure on the government to enact legislation requiring loan forgiveness and a minimum support price for crops.
Farmers prepared for their planned protest march to the nation’s capital on February 13 and pursued legislation to ensure the minimum support price for their produce after a five-hour discussion session with two Union Ministers failed to break the impasse.
Security measures in and around the nation’s capital were increased in response to intelligence agencies’ alerts about possible agricultural protests.