Live: Protesting Indian farmers gather ahead of march to Delhi

Thousands of Indian farmers prepared on Wednesday (February 21) for a protest march to the capital, after talks with the government on guaranteed support prices for their produce failed to break a deadlock. The action, watched by security forces clad in riot gear, came after farmers’ groups rejected a government proposal this week for five-year contracts and guaranteed support prices for produce such as corn, cotton and pulses. The farmers, mostly from the northern state of Punjab, have been demanding higher prices backed by law for their crops. They form an influential bloc of voters Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot afford to anger ahead of general elections due by May. Watch more on Independent TV: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Follow us on Instagram: Subscribe to Independent Premiu