AGRA: Scores of farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu group) leader, armed with rifles and lathis, broke the toll boom of Agra-Lucknow expressway and allegedly threatened employees for free travel.CCTV footage at the toll showed the unruly men, giving free passage to their vehicles as well others standing in a queue on expressway toll under Fatehabad police jurisdiction of Agra district.Speaking with TOI, Sunil Kumar Shukla, manager of Agra toll, said, “At around 9:17 am, nearly 20 SUVs carrying scores of farmers broke the toll boom without any provocation. The unruly farmers were led by farmer leader Bhanu Pratap Singh of Barsana, Mathura.”He said, “Even before my staff could ask them for toll, the men simply came out in large numbers from their vehicles armed with rifles and lathis and threatened the staff to keep away, allowing their and other vehicles free passage.”Based on his written complaint, Fatehabad police lodged an FIR against Bhanu Pratap Singh and other unidentified farmers under IPC sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).Speaking to TOI, Bhanu Pratap Singh said, “We are farmers who have been exploited by government. They took our land to construct the expressway, so they don’t have the right to charge us. We will travel free on the expressway, no one can dare to stop us.”Brijesh Kumar, station house officer of Fatehabad, said, “The farmers were heading to Lucknow to hold rally outside Vidhan Sabha. We have seized the CCTV footage for evidence. Soon the accused will be detained for questioning and other legal actions.”

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