Red Fort breached, internet put off: Farmers' tractor rally holds up Delhi

Thousands of farmers on tractors entered New Delhi on Tuesday as the country marked its Republic Day, escalating protests against new agricultural laws passed by the government.

TV news channels flashed images of farmers hoisting flags at Red Fort in the heart of Delhi, with hundreds of them deviating from agreed routes. Farmers commandeered cranes and used ropes to tear down roadblocks miles from routes approved by the police, forcing the police in riot gear to fall back and let them pass during Republic Day celebrations, news reports said.

Farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have camped outside New Delhi