NEW DELHI: Security has been beefed up in the country's capital in the wake of violent protests by farmers against the central government's agricultural laws. More police have been deployed along the Delhi border. The entrance and exit gates of the Lal Qila metro station have been closed. Railway officials said all other stations were operating normally.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also stepped up its crackdown on protesters. The district administration issued notice to farmers to vacate Ghazipur. The farmers' leaders alleged that the power supply to the protest sites in Ghazipur had been disconnected. Protesters say the drinking water supply has also been stalled.

Meantime, the central government has decided not to hold talks with farmers' organizations for the time being. The government said it will hold talks only if they accept their proposal. Delhi Police may take stern action against those involved in clashes during Republic Day’s tractor rally.

Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu and the gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana have been named by the Delhi Police in an FIR in connection with the unprecedented violence in the capital on Republic Day and the Red Fort incident on January 26.

The Delhi Police has registered the case at Kotwali police station of North district under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other legislations.

The premises of the historic monument was vandalized as the protesters went on a rampage destroying checking machines, ticket counters, furniture, and everything that came in their way. Some of the protesters climbed the walls of the fort and installed their flag at the flagstaff.