A protester at Singhu border in New Delhi on Sunday
PATIALA/BATHINDA: Expressing resentment against the raids carried out on Arhtiyas by the income-tax (I-T) department, Punjab arhtiyas (commission agents) have decided to shut down all grain markets in the state from Tuesday to Friday.
Describing the raids as pressure tactics by the Union government against the arhtiyas for supporting agitating farmers, they also demanded immediate suspension of the I-T raids carried out late on Friday night and on Saturday in Rajpura, Samana in Patiala district and in Nawashahar district with the help of CRPF jawans.
Around 16 arhtiyas were served notices by the I-T department and raids were carried out on six arhtiyas who have state-level designations in the arhtiya unions. There are around 28,000 licensed commission agents in Punjab.