HARIPUR, Nov 26: Traders observed a shutter-down strike on Saturday against imposition of fines by a judicial magistrate. Markets and shops at different link roads remained closed since morning till 3pm.

Protesters took out a procession through the main bazaar, which ended at the main roundabout, and blocked the road.

An hour later, they lifted the blockade, called off the strike and agreed to enter in negotiation with the administration after the district nazim intervened and assured them of fortnightly checking and implementation of commodity rates as per the market rates in Rawalpindi.

The strike call was given by different traders’ associations.

Judicial Magistrate Syed Kamal Shah had during surprise checking of markets and bazaars, arrested 100 shopkeepers and imposed fine on them for violations of the Food Stuff Act 1975.