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Police in New Delhis neighbouring state of Haryana on Thursday used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesting farmers who tried to reach the capital on foot, in buses, and tractors.
NDTV news channel reported that the farmers were moving to the Indian capital to protest against new laws they said would curb their earnings and benefit big corporations.
At one site the farmers retaliated by throwing bricks and pushing aside barricades.
The borders of the national capital have been sealed and metro services in several areas shut down with police saying no rallies were allowed in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Farmers have been protesting since September against the new laws, especially in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana, known as the grain bowls of India.
Farmers groups from five states had called for the Dilli Chalo (Go to Delhi) campaign on Thursday.
Large deployment of police and paramilitary could be seen at all entry points into Delhi.
Vehicles were checked and those with farmers were asked to turn back.
Indias Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which also rules Haryana, insists that the laws passed by parliament in September will make it easier for farmers to sell their produce to big institutional buyers.
The government says this will fetch better prices and free farmers from traditional middlemen who dominate the trade.
Critics say the changes will end the purchase of grains at prices guaranteed by the government and leave farmers vulnerable to market forces. (dpa/NAN)
Source: NAN News