A statue of Mahatma Gandhi overlooks the Indian parliament house Photo: AP

Thousands of Indian farmers gathered in a large grain market outside New Delhi on Tuesday, protesting new agricultural laws they say threaten their livelihoods and actions by police during similar demonstrations last week.

 "A large number of farmers are attending the meeting to ask the government to punish those responsible for using force against unarmed and elderly farmers," said Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior farmers' leader.

The grain market where farmers were meeting on Tuesday is about 150 kilometers from New Delhi, in neighboring Haryana state. Farmers will also organise demonstrations at major government offices in Haryana to press their demands, Rajewal said.

"The use of excess, disproportionate force was not only brutal, but it was also a vengeful act," he said.

In August, about 10 farmers were injured after police resorted to baton charges to stop protesters from blocking a Haryana highway. One farmer died later although officials say the death was not due to baton injuries.

Authorities in Haryana stepped up security and shut down mobile internet services, state government officials said. In addition to a large police deployment, the government has also positioned paramilitary forces, they said.