SKARDU, Dec 1: Small hotel and restaurant owners staged a protest demonstration against the district administration and price control committee for fixing prices of mutton and beef at higher level.

The protesters took out a protest rally from Yadgar Chowk to assistant commissioner's office. They were demanding to reduce prices of edible items, especially meat.

The protesters withdrew their strike after the assistant commissioner assured them that he would consider to reducing the price rates of meat. The protesters threatened to continue the protest if the prices were not reduced.

The price control committee had fixed Rs190 per kg of mutton, while the previous rate was Rs180. Previous price of beef was Rs120 per kg while new rate is Rs130 per kg.

The committee has also increased price of eggs from Rs60 per dozen to Rs65. The shopkeepers were also charging higher rates on other edible items like vegetables and fruits, residents complain.

The residents also say substandard flour bags were being provided to them, causing stomach problems to them.