In pictures: Indian farmers ride caravan of tractors into New Delhi ahead of Republic Day

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Caravans of tractors clogged a key highway in northern India on Monday as tens of thousands of farmers protesting against agriculture reforms streamed into the capital ahead of celebrations for Republic Day. Image Credit: REUTERS

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India marks its founding as a republic on Tuesday with a military parade in the historic city centre, but the farmers, who are demanding a rollback of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's deregulation effort, plan their own peaceful show of strength. Image Credit: PTI

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"We will teach Modi a lesson that he will never forget," said one of the protesters, from the district of Ludhiana in Punjab, who drove his own tractor. The 35-year-old, who cultivates 10 acres (4 hectares), asked not to be identified. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Loudspeakers blared anti-government songs as the lengthy procession of vehicles rolled down National Highway 44, accompanied by dozens of community kitchens to hand out hot meals and beverages in the winter cold. Image Credit: ANI

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Farmers mainly drawn from the breadbasket states of Punjab and adjoining Haryana have blockaded approaches into New Delhi for about two months to protest against three new farm laws they say will hurt their livelihoods and help big companies. Image Credit: PTI

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Their unions are pushing for repeal of the laws, after rejecting a government proposal to suspend the measures it says will usher in much-needed steps to boost farmer incomes. Image Credit: PTI

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Several rounds of talks with Modi's government have made little headway, and protesters now aim to up the ante with the procession set to follow Tuesday's military parade. Image Credit: ANI

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Top leaders and military officials attend the annual high-security parade to mark the day India's constitution took effect in 1950. Image Credit: REUTERS

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At the weekend, police said they would allow at least 12,000 tractors to traverse a 100-km stretch around the capital, despite some intelligence warnings of possible efforts to disrupt the farmers' peaceful rally. Image Credit: PTI

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A farmers' group exhorted its members to refrain from violence in detailed instructions issued for Tuesday's event. Image Credit: ANI

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"Remember, our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this county," it said. Image Credit: PTI

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In the western state of Maharashtra, thousands of farmers were also on the move, flocking to a flag-hoisting ceremony on Tuesday in the heart of Mumbai, India's financial capital. Image Credit: PTI

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"We are here to support farmers in Delhi, to highlight that farmers across the country are against the farm laws," said Ashok Dhawale, a state protest leader. Image Credit: ANI

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Haryana farmers welcome farmers of Punjab moving towards Delhi to take part in their Jan 26 tractor rally, at Shambu Punjab-Haryana border near Patiala. Image Credit: PTI

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A farmer rides a tractor at the Ghazipur border in New Delhi. Image Credit: ANI

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Farmers sitting on tractor-trolley at the Ghazipur border in New Delhi. Image Credit: ANI

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Farmers on tractor trolley at the Ghazipur border in New Delhi. Image Credit: ANI

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In pictures: Indian farmers ride caravan of tractors into New Delhi ahead of Republic Day

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