Farmers protest: Farmer Dies During Protest, Says Police; Internet Cut Off and Routes are Closed In Parts Of Delhi

New Delhi: One farmer has died as protesting farmers clashed with police at ITO in the heart of national capital. Thousands of protesting farmers, who entered into Delhi with their tractors this morning, also poured into the Red Fort complex by afternoon, prompting security personnel to resort to lathicharge and tear gas.
The police have managed to remove them from inside the fort using batons. Outside the fort, tractors took over the Ramlila Maidan, the site where the farmers had originally planned their protest. The farmers have blamed "anti-social elements" for the violence.

A high level meeting is underway at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence where he is being briefed about today's situation. The Home Secretary and Delhi Police Commissioner are in attendance.

Internet services have been temporarily suspended in some parts of Delhi amid clashes between the police and thousands of agitating farmers, whose tractor rally veered off the permitted course, news agency ANI has reported.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has closed the entry and exit gates at several metro stations, mainly in north and central Delhi as the situation escalated.

The Delhi Traffic Police said, "traffic is very heavy on Wazirabad road, ISBT road, GT road, Pushta road, Vikas marg, NH-24, Road no. 57, Noida link road. Please avoid these roads."

"Traffic movement is closed from Kapashera Chowk to Bijwasan Road. Diversion is given from Kapashera Border & Samalkha T Point. Traffic movement is closed from Dwarka More to Uttam Nagar East Metro Station. Diversion is given from Dwarka More," Delhi Traffic Police said.

"Please avoid NH 44, GTK road, outer ring road, Signature Bridge, GT road, ISBT ring road, Vikas Marg, ITO, NH 24, Nizammudin Khatta, Noida link road, Peeragarhi & Outer Delhi, East & West Delhi border areas due to ongoing farmer protests," Delhi Traffic Police informed.