Arhtiyas slam I-T searches, to shut Punjab mandis this week in protest
The Federation of Arhtiya Associations of Punjab said the arhtiyas also plan to gherao the offices of tax officials and a “final plan of action” will be chalked out after consulting farm leaders. Updated: December 21, 2020 2:33:05 pm
The meeting of the Ahrityas executive body at Baghapurana constituency in Punjab’s Moga district on Sunday.
AFTER INCOME Tax officials served notices to 14 top arhtiyas, or commission agents, in Punjab and conducted searches at premises linked to six of them over the last two days, a key umbrella group Sunday announced the closure of all mandis in the state from December 22 to 25 as a mark of protest against the action.
Karam Prakash
Patiala, December 19
Amid the ongoing farmers’ stir against the three farm laws, the Income Tax Department has reportedly conducted raids on the premises of several arhtiyas (commission agents) in Punjab over the last 48 hours.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh castigated the Centre for allegedly adopting intimidatory tactics against arhtiyas. Terming the raids as a pressure tactic to curb arhtiyas’ democratic rights and freedom, he said such oppressive actions would backfire against the BJP.
Arhtiyas claimed the premises of their five union leaders were raided in Patiala, Nawanshahr and Ferozepur districts. In Patiala district, raids were conducted at Bhunerheri, Samana and Rajpura.
Modi Government s Raid on Punjabi Arhityas Termed Undemocratic and Unprecedented sikh24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sikh24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Punjab: Raids on arhtiyas continue, mandis to stay shut in protest from tomorrow
Mostly those targeted are the ones who have been at the forefront in sending buses, vehicles full of arhtiyas and mandi labourers to dharna sites in Delhi and issuing statements to the press. December 20, 2020 2:55:57 am
Police said the accused stole the phones along with their accomplices.
Income Tax raids against arhtiyas in Punjab continued for the second day on Saturday with so far total 7 arhtiyas being raided since Friday evening.
Among those who were raided in the presence of 2 bus-loads each of CRPF personnel, were Vijay Kalra (President, Punjab Arthiya Federation and Vice-Chairman of Punjab Mandi Board), Pawan Kumar Goyal (President of Samana Mandi), Jaswinder Singh Rana (Patiala district president of arhtiyas association), Manjinder Singh Walia (President, Nawanshahr Arhtiya Association), Hardeep Singh Ladda (President, Rajpura Arhtiya Association) and Kartar Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 19
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday castigated the Centre for its intimidatory tactics against arhityas supporting the agitating farmers, and warned that such draconian measures will further aggravate the angst of the people against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government.
Terming the clearly motivated Income Tax (I-T) raids against some Punjab arhtiyas as an obvious pressure tactic to curb their democratic right and freedom, Amarinder said these oppressive actions will backfire against the ruling BJP.
The Chief Minister said it was evident that having failed to persuade, mislead and divide the farmers into ending their prolonged protest against the black Farm Laws, the central government was now trying to weaken their struggle by targetting the arhtiyas, who have been actively supporting the agitation since Day 1.