HARIPUR, Oct 1: A group of social workers here on Friday formed an association with the objective to protect the rights of consumers in the district.

A large number of lawyers, poets, journalists and social workers participated in the inaugural meeting of the body, named Anjuman-i-Sarfeen, Haripur.

The following office-bearers of the newly formed association were also elected on the occasion: Mehboob Josh (president), Masoodur Rehman (secretary), Malik Khaliqdad advocate (vice-president), Arshad Awan advocate (joint secretary) and Qazi Misbahuddin advocate (finance secretary).

Comrade Mohammad Qasim, Dr Waheedur Rehman, Sher Bahadur, Lala Mohammad Riaz, Irshad Khan Tanoli and Ehsan Qureshi advocate were elected members of the executive council.

The meeting discussed at length the prevailing trend of hoarding, overcharging and adulteration of edible and other household items by unscrupulous elements during the month of Ramazan and expressed concern over the apathetic attitude of authorities supposed to check price-hike and adulteration.