CHANDIGARH, Dec 29: The farmers agitating against the new farm laws have vandalised 1,500 mobile towers belonging to Reliance in Punjab. Around 150 towers are being damaged every day, leading to disruption in communication network in the State. There are 9,000 odd moble towers in Punjab.

The protesters allege that the new agricultural legislations will lead to corporate exploitation of the farmers. The damages to mobile towers done are burning of cables and snapping of power lines. Generators were also stolen.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is supporting the farmers, has asked the police to take action against the vandals. The punishment for damaging telecom equipment is three years' imprisonment. Amarinder said the telecom disruption affects the students preparing for the Board examinations and the essential banking operations.

A number of farmers' unions have appealed to the protesters not to resort to vandalism in the name of agitation to protect the interests of the farmers.