Farmers' Protest: Ghazipur border on alert; electricity cut off, heavy police presence

New Delhi: Farmers protesting against Centres' three contentious new agriculture laws at Delhi's Ghazipur border was put on alert on Thursday night anticipating police action after Uttar Pradesh authorities allegedly switched off the street lights. Meanwhile, Lal Quila metro station's entry and exit gates are closed. Normal service is available on all other stations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Thursday. The entry gates of Jama Masjid metro station are also closed, DMRC added.

The lights on the national highway at the Ghazipur border were shut down from about 10:30 pm last night till the wee hours of today. The agitating farmers say this was an attempt by authorities to scare them.

The police deployment has been increased at the Delhi borders ever since the farmers' tractor rally turned violent in Delhi. Thousands of farmers have been protesting against the farm laws for now over 50 days, demanding the repeal of the laws and legal guarantee to MSP.

Delhi witnessed violence during the tractor rally by farmers on Republic Day to protest against three farm laws. The protestors violated the agreement about the route and allotted time for the tractor march and swarmed into the central Delhi after forcibly removing police barricades. At least 83 police officers were injured in the violence. Police vehicles were damaged as well.