NEW DELHI – Thousands of Indian farmers marched into New Delhi, riding atractor rally against the controversial farm laws on the eve of theRepublic Day, promoting police to tear-gas and baton charge the protesters.

Indian media reports said that the mayhem occurred in the capital cityafter the protesters held the rally before the scheduled time as they wereallowed to hold the “Kisaan Parade” between 12 and 5PM after the RepublicDay parade.

Numbers of protesters were injured while some cops also received injuresduring the violent clashes. The protesters also entered the Red Fort inDelhi and hoisted a flag of Khalistan, a long-standing demand of the IndianSikh community for a separate homeland.

Videos and images circulating on social media showed farmers removedbarricades at the Singhu border near Haryana, the epicentre of proteststhat were launched in November against the disputed laws.

As more force was called, the majority of the protesters who entered thecapital at Nangloi have been pushed back.

The internet and mobile service have been suspended in parts of Delhi asclashes continue to intensify between the security officials and protesters.

After clashes broke out during the tractor march, Congress leader RahulGandhi on Tuesday condemned the violence, adding that the farm laws shouldbe withdrawn in the larger interest of the country.