Escalating their agitation against the entry tax imposed by the Himachal Pradesh Government on vehicles entering the hill state, Nihangs have announced that they will begin collecting a “Khalsa Tax” from vehicles bearing Himachal registration numbers entering Punjab from June 21 if the issue remains unresolved.The announcement was made by Nihang Achar Singh, who is spearheading the ongoing protest against the Himachal Government’s decision to levy entry fee on vehicles at several inter-state barriers. The Nihangs have been demanding complete withdrawal of the tax, alleging that it causes inconvenience to Punjab residents, pilgrims and traders who frequently travel to Himachal Pradesh.The Nihang leaders said the deadline given to both the Punjab and Himachal governments for resolving the dispute would expire on June 21. They claimed that despite repeated representations and protests, no concrete solution had emerged. As a result, they have decided to initiate what they termed a “Khalsa Tax” on Himachal registered vehicles entering Punjab.The announcement is expected to further intensify tensions over the issue, which has emerged as a major point of contention in border areas adjoining Himachal Pradesh. Protesters argue that while Punjab residents are required to pay entry fee at multiple locations in Himachal, vehicles from the neighbouring state continue to enter Punjab without any such charges.The agitation has been gaining momentum over the past several months, with Nihangs symbolically imposing “Khalsa tax” on Himachal vehicles on Kiratpur Sahib-Manali Road on June 3.The imposition of “Khalsa tax” on Himachal vehicles had evoked political response from Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who took up the matter with Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.Education and Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains had recently stated that the matter was under the consideration of the government and expressed hope that discussions between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would help resolve the dispute. However, no official breakthrough has been announced so far.With June 21 deadline approaching, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in border districts where any attempt to collect taxes from vehicles could lead to law and order challenges.