Farmers Movement Archive

‘Rs 6 lakh funds for event at Singhu border’

AMBALA: A journalist from Saha in Ambala, who runs a social media house and also does freelance, was issued a notice by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last week for receiving about Rs 6 lakh as funds from overseas. As per information, since the launch of farmers agitation at Delhi borders, the journalist has been actively participating in the protest, as his firm provides coverage of events to media platforms, especially those run by Sikh diaspora settled abroad. Last week, the journalist received the NIA notice, similar to the one sent by the agency to hundreds of activists linked to farmers protest in one way or the other. The journalist confirmed he was the first one to appear before the investigation agency at Delhi on January 16. “I attended the investigation before a team of NIA officers that went on for 4.5-5 hours. I am associated with UK-based media channels and provide them coverage . I am also providing coverage of the kisan morcha at Delhi and I have received some payments from foreign-based Indian channels. So, NIA officials questioned me on the funds that I had received and the money spent. My entire work is official and all the transactions were received in my bank accounts.” “I told them (NIA) about my firm and services offered to different media channels. I satisfied the officers with my answers,” he said. Giving details about the funds that he received, the journalist said, “Basically, this year, one of the channels organised Saka Sirhind (martyrdom of younger Sahibzaadas) at kisan morcha on Singhu border of Delhi from December 21 to 27, (2020) which was earlier done abroad. The channel decided to organise the event at a protest site and I did the same. The payment was received for organising this event as there were expenses on diesel, generator, sound, LEDs and other arrangements. NIA officials questioned me regarding this event too.”

The Times of India

2021-01-21

Chandigarh