FARMERS blocked highways and held demonstrations in many rural areas in northern India today to protest over a range of grievances.

Tens of thousands of other farmers also continued to march toward the capital in tractors and wagons.

Farmers in the northern states of Haryana and Punjab held sit-ins near toll plazas on major highways in the strike, supported by most trade unions. 

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body for farmers’ unions, urged its members not to go to their fields on Friday.

The call for the strike comes amid a violent stand-off between farmers from northern states and the police, who blocked motorways to prevent them from marching into the capital, New Delhi.

Ahead of the strike Pawan Khatana, the leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said: “The farmers have been asked to shun work on farms, or not go to markets for any purchases.”

The SKM’s Jagjit Singh Dallewal confirmed farmer unions were set to meet the government on Sunday.

He said: “The protest will continue peacefully. We will not do anything else. We will appeal to the farmers too.” 

He added: “On Sunday, if we do not get any positive result, then we will continue the protest.”

Tens of thousands of farmers began a protest march toward New Delhi earlier this week to demand guaranteed prices for their produce, but were stopped by the police using tear gas and batons about 125 miles away from the capital. 

The farmers are camping on the border between Punjab and Haryana after being blocked by concrete and metal barricades. Police detained some protesters.

Authorities have also suspended mobile internet service in some areas of Haryana and blocked social media accounts of some protest leaders.

The protests come two years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was forced to back down and withdraw proposed new agriculture laws after being faced by similar protests.

At the heart of the latest protests is a demand for legislation that would guarantee minimum support prices for all farm produce.

The farmers want legislation that will apply the protection to all produce.

They are also pressing the government to follow through on promises to double their income.

Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said: “We believe we will all find a solution together peacefully.”

The latest protest comes months before a general election in which Mr Modi and his right wing Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking a third term.