BADIN, July 12: Traders of the district have demanded transfer of revenue officers with magisterial powers, alleging them of misusing these against business community on the pretext of hoarding and profiteering.

They further announced to boycott meeting with revenue officers till their demand was not met. Representatives of 12 trade organisations, in a press conference on Saturday, accused district administration of harassing business community over hoarding and profiteering charges. President Food Grain Association Imtiaz Ali Memon; President Hardware Association Zahid Khowja; and Khan Sahib Allah Bachayo of the Organisation of Small Traders, spoke among others.

They termed the raid on Lachmandas’ shop as illegal for he was selling sugar in the open market. They said there were no restrictions on keeping sugar stock in the shop for sale in open market.They said mills were forcing cane farmers to lift commodity against their liabilities and sugarcane premium.

Traders demanded that a meeting for re-fixing new rates of consumer items should be convened by the DCO with businessmen for settling the matter in consultation with trade organisations.