KHAR: Several people were injured when a clash broke out between shopkeepers and consumers over ice price in Barang area on Tuesday, officials and local residents said.

They said the clash erupted following the exchange of harsh words between ice sellers and consumers in Memola bazaar. They said at least five persons got injures as people used batons, iron rods and stones in the clash.

The residents and Levies personnel took the wounded to nearby hospital for treatment.

Hospital sources said condition of one of the injured, Uzir Mohammad was critical.

Afterwards, the Levies personnel launched a crackdown and arrested several persons, including shopkeepers. The detention of traders sparked a protest by their colleagues.

Memola bazaar, the busiest shopping centre of remote Barang tehsil, had been closed for an indefinite period after the incident, a local administration official said.

The official said they had started investigation into the incident besides setting up an inquiry committee comprising local elders for the purpose. “We are trying our best to resolve the issue and resume daily life in the area immediately as closure of shops is affecting local people,” he added.

Meanwhile, people complained about increase in prices of food items in Ramazan.

Talking to Dawn, they blamed the Levies personnel stationed in the bazaars for backing the traders to create artificial price hike in the markets.

“We have solid evidence that the levies personnel are supporting the traders in increasing prices,” they added. The consumers asked the local administration to punish the traders and Levies men involved in profiteering.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2015

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