Police Plaster Nails On Streets, Dig Up Roads To Stop Protesting Farmers From Entering Delhi

The Delhi Police have dug ditches and spread razor wire across main roads into New Delhi to prevent protesting farmers entering the capital as the finance minister delivered the government's annual budget in Parliament.

Internet and messaging services were blocked in several neighbourhoods on the outskirts where protests turned violent last week, and security was stepped up around Parliament and other important government offices in the central district.

Extensive security arrangements ensured at Tikri Border. pic.twitter.com/lqMIyAvaqt

¡ª Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) February 1, 2021

WATCH: A small report from Tikri Border. Roads dug up, big boulders put and now big nails plastered on streets to stop farmers and tractors from entering the national capital.

I report. pic.twitter.com/VOaxHYSbwo

¡ª Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) February 1, 2021

"The government has increased security to avoid any clash or violence when parliament is in session," said a senior official who didn't wish to be named in line with official policy.

"The idea is to keep everyone safe and avoid any escalation in tensions."

The farmers had earlier announced a march to the Parliament on February 1, the day of the Union Budget. However, the decision was withdrawn after the tractor rally became violent on Republic Day.

BCCL

On January 26, a farmers' procession turned violent, as some protesters broke away from a rally of tractors to storm into the historic Red Fort complex after breaking through barricades and clashing with police.

In the past few days, more farmers have arrived along with their tractors to join their protesting colleagues at the three major protest sites near New Delhi.