ABBOTTABAD, July 1: The police resorted to tear gas to disperse a traders’ protest rally, and arrested at least 26 for blocking the main G.T Road at Sarban Chowk.

The city traders on the call of All Traders Federation closed their shops to protest against the increase in taxes and rent of the shops owned by the Cantt Board.

They were also protesting against the holding of an industrial exhibition at Abbottabad by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Hazara, at Small Industrial Estate, Abbottabad.

A protest meeting was also held in the main bazaar. The speakers included the office bearers of All Traders Federation and representatives of different traders’ bodies. They lashed out at the station commander, Abbottabad, and declared all his policies against the traders’ community saying that he was trying to create a rift between government and traders.

They also criticized the HCCI for holding the industrial exhibition. They lose business due to such exhibitions. They say that they pay taxes to the government all year round, but during the tourist season when it is time for them to make some money such exhibitions take their customers away from them.

Those detained included, Saleem Khan Jadoon, president Traders Association, Ashfaq, general secretary, Zubair Ayub, Daleer Dil Khan, Mumtaz Khan, Tariq Khan Jadoon, Fareez and Hamayun.