SWABI: Traders ended their shutdown strike here on Thursday after the district administration assured them that some of their demands would be met.

The traders have been demanding transfer of Swabi tehsil municipal officer and some officials of the district administration, who allegedly threw fruit and vegetable of vendors and mistreated them a day before.

The two sides agreed that further negotiations would be held on Friday (today) or Monday to reach an agreement in this regard.

The administration was led by assistant deputy commissioner Gohar Ali and Anjuman-i-Dokandaran, Swabi, by its president Laiq Khan in the negotiations.

Soon after that it was announced that the traders would end the strike, but parleys would continue to resolve their issues.

“Some of your demands would be met, but it should be clear that the administration could not allow the vendors to occupy roads,” ADC Gohar was quoted as telling the traders.

When contacted, Mr Laiq said if some of the officials were not transferred on their demand they would resume fight for their rights.

Earlier, the traders staged another demonstration here to press the district administration for resolution of their issues.

Meanwhile, a man was killed when two families clashed over a woman-related issue in Maneri Payyan village on Thursday.

Swabi city police SHO Farooq Khan said relations between the alleged attacker and victim had deteriorated during the last one month and a jirga had tried to make reconciliation between them.

On Thursday, they exchanged hot words which culminated in exchange of fire and killing of Fazal Akbar.

Mohammad Saeed, father of the deceased, registered an FIR against Misri Khan and Saleem Khan.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2020