Alleging police inaction against a shopkeeper in Ajnala, who had illegally detained officials of the Agriculture Department, the Agriculture Development Officers Association (ADOA) has decided to continue its agitation until suitable action is taken.

Chief Agriculture Officer P S Sandhu said spurious agricultural sprays were found in the shop of Varinder Kumar Sareen in Ajnala during a raid last month. The accused and his sons had refused to show them the bill book and the records and misbehaved with the team.

A case was registered against the accused following a police inquiry but he is yet to be arrested. “The accused enjoys patronage of local politicians and the police are under pressure to resist action against the accused,” he said.

Dilbagh Singh Dhanju, district president, Agriculture Officers Association, said instead of taking action against the accused, the police have registered fake cases against the officials who were on duty. Dr Kuldeep Singh Mattewal, of Plant Doctors Services Association, urged the government to take steps to ensure that political patronage of people like Sareen is stopped. The protestors sought immediate action against the accused.

They warned of complete cessation of work till their demands pertaining to the case were fulfilled and urged the government to take measures in this regard. Sareen, when contacted, said he was being deliberately framed in the case. “The charges that they have levelled against me are baseless,” he said.