VARANASI, Oct. 1 -- Farmers on Wednesday staged a massive demonstration on the Varanasi-Azamgarh highway against the collection of tolls at Dherhi toll plaza in Cholapur police station area of Varanasi on Wednesday, police said. Farmer leader Ajit Singh, despite tight security arrangements, attempted self-immolation after reaching the toll plaza but was taken into custody by the police. He, however, was released later, said a police officer. Singh alleges that while the NHAI acquired farmers' land for road construction, they failed to provide adequate compensation. Furthermore, he claimed that collecting tolls is unjust given that the construction of the 17-kilometre-long road remains incomplete. Meanwhile, a heavy police force was deployed at the site, and farmers were prevented from approaching the toll plaza. Additionally, the police placed several farmer leaders and social activists under house arrest. Deputy commissioner of police, Varuna Zone, Rajesh Pandey held a dialogue with the farmers, informing them that the NHAI has offered a discount of up to 50 percent on monthly passes for farmers. Discussions regarding their other demands are also underway. BJP MLA from Ajgara Tribhuvan Ram intervened and spoke to the farmers. He apprised chief minister Yogi Adityanath of the incident, and later said that instructions have been issued to suspend toll collection from farmers at the toll plaza. "For now, toll collection will not be allowed, and local farmers will not be inconvenienced," added the BJP MLA....