SWABI, Sept 13: The traders and vendors here have termed unjust the fines imposed on them during last few days by inspectors of district food department and called for their immediate withdrawal.

The food inspectors visited different markets in the four tehsils of Swabi district and fined traders for various reasons, including overcharging consumers and not displaying official price list.

In this connection, a meeting of traders’ union was held here on Friday, which was chaired by its president Babu Sultan. They discussed the possible steps to prevent what they termed ‘unjust fines’ by the food inspectors.

The participants said that the poor vendors had been targeted by the inspectors by imposing heavy fines on them.

“Fine of over Rs1,000 has been imposed on each of the vendors, creating anxiety among this poor class of society,” said Laiq Khan, the union’s district general secretary.

Mr Sultan warned that if the food inspectors did not stop their action against the traders and vendors they would be compelled to give a strike call.

“We will wait till Sept 22 and if no meaningful steps are taken then traders in the district will observe complete strike,” he said. —Correspondent