MARDAN, April 18: Nanbais closed their shops in the Takhtbai bazaar on Friday to protest against the increase in the flour price.

The step was taken after a meeting of the Nanbai Association held here under its president Waliur Rehman. The nanbais said the flour price had gone up but the government had asked them not to increase the price of bread.

Waliur Rehman demanded that the government should end the shortage of flour and increase their quota. He said they would not open their shop till their demands were met.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Awami National Party held here criticised what it called the artificial crisis of flour in Mardan, terming it a conspiracy against the ANP-PPP coalition government.