Rudrapur, Aug. 22 -- Farmers from across the district staged a protest under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)-Tikait at the collectorate in Rudrapur on Friday, officials said, adding that protest turned tense after police and administrative officials stopped the farmers from entering the collectorate and erected barricades on the approach road. The farmers had announced a three-day dharna at the collectorate premises from Friday, demanding free electricity for agricultural purposes, an increase in the minimum support price (MSP), a halt to the installation of smart electricity meters and ownership rights over agricultural land being cultivated by them. Despite the deployment of police personnel, the protesting farmers broke through the barricades and pushed back the police personnel while attempting to reach the collectorate. The situation escalated further when the protesters took possession of a JCB machine that had been stationed to prevent them from advancing towards the collectorate. Prem Singh Sahota, president of the Uttarakhand unit of the BKU, said the farmers had informed the administration about their programme in advance and intended to hold a peaceful three-day sit-in. "Our programme was already fixed to stage a three-day sit-in at the collectorate premises from Friday to press our demands peacefully, but the district administration did not allow us to hold the protest. Instead, the administration and police stopped farmers by erecting barricades and deploying considerable police force. This cannot be tolerated because farmers are the backbone of the country," Sahota said. According to BKU members, farmers began gathering outside the collectorate at around 11 am and started their protest. Around 1 pm, they marched towards the collectorate building but were stopped by police personnel deployed at the site. After being prevented from proceeding, the farmers shifted their protest to the national highway and blocked traffic. Administrative and police officials attempted to persuade them to end the road blockade, but the protesters refused to disperse. The farmers subsequently resumed their march towards the collectorate. As police personnel tried to stop them, the protesters broke the barricades and pushed the police line backwards. The farmers then proceeded towards the main gate of the collectorate. On reaching the gate, the protesters found it closed. They began a sit-in outside the entrance and announced that they would continue their dharna at the gate for three days. The protesters also arranged a langar at the site as part of their continuing agitation....