Pesticide dealers protest police harassment, to meet Dy CM

Our Correspondent

Abohar, September 29

Pesticides and fertilisers dealers, who were forced by the local police to lift blockade from the national highway last night, struck work today. Dealers in Fazilka and Muktsar districts also shut up shop.

Pesticide Dealers Association president Suresh Satija said at a meeting at Haqiqat Rai Chowk today that the police had no authority to harass businessmen on flimsy grounds. He said the Agriculture Department had the power to take action against dealers if a complaint had been lodged.

They will continue the strike tomorrow. A deputation will also meet Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on his visit to Jalalabad tomorrow to discuss the issue. The Commission Agents Association has extended support to their stir.

On a tip-off, the city police yesterday booked Om Parkash Dhamija, the owner of Zamindara Pesticides Company, and his employees Sunil Bunty of Nai Abadi and Gopal Krishan Kamboj of Dhaani Karnail Singh under the Pesticides Act.

Since Om Parkash was away, the police arrested his employees, who have been remanded in police custody for two days. The police allege the company had been selling sub-standard pesticides.

The police action yesterday triggered protests. Dealers first sat on a dharna in the police station and later blocked the national highway.