Ruchika M. Khanna
Chandigarh, December 20
The social media accounts of the joint forum of farmers were blocked on Sunday evening, within a few hours of a live press conference broadcast through their Facebook page. As the issue snowballed into an embarrassing controversy, the pages were unblocked.
Farmer union leaders alleged that their Facebook and Instagram handles started last week were blocked this evening, within a few minutes of their press conference. Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India, who has been at the forefront of the farmers’ agitation, was reportedly doing a live session on Facebook when the social media handle Kisan Ekta Morcha was blocked.
The joint secretary’s letter was in response to Pal’s email to him on December 16. Pal had informed him about the unions’ decision, rejecting the Centre’s December 9 proposals on amending farm laws and clarifying certain provisions. Pal had also requested the Centre not to defame farmers movement and stop holding parallel talks with other farmer organisations (those which are not involved in the protest against the farm laws).
Responding to Pal, Aggarwal on Sunday in his letter said, “It is not clear from your email whether it was your individual opinion or it was the consensus decision of all unions. Besides, it is also not clear as to why the government proposal (of December 9) was rejected”.
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.
Updated:
December 30, 2020 16:13 IST
Previous five rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock with the farmers insisting on repeal of the three laws
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Farmers protesting against the new farm laws at the Singhu border. File
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Previous five rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock with the farmers insisting on repeal of the three laws
The government on Sunday asked protesting farmer unions to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest.
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