PESHAWAR: The district administration here on Friday claimed to have arrested at least 82 butchers for overcharging during a crackdown in parts of the provincial metropolis and sent them behind bars.

The crackdown was conducted by relevant magistrates in order to ensure provision of quality food items to the consumers as per official price list, a spokesman for the district administration Sajid Khantold Dawn.

Sharing details of the raids, he said that 16 butchers were arrested in the areas of Charsadda Road, Bakhshu Pul, Khazana and Naguman, 12 at Dalazak Road, 13 in Hayatabad Township, 14 in the University Road, Tehkal and Spin Jumaat areas, 12 in Chamkani, Inqilab Chowk and Kohat Road areas, and 15 in Ghanta Ghar, Ramdas and Bala Manri.

The additional assistant commissioners who headed the raiding teams in respective areas included Abdul Wali Khan, Salahuddin, Inayatullah Khan, Rizwana Dar, Sara Tawab Umer, Shahbaz Khan and Najeedullah Khan.

The spokesman said that every shopkeeper and vendor was bound to display the official price list prominently otherwise the administration would impose fine. He said that copies of the price list were available with traders’ office-bearers in different bazaars to provide the same to their union members.

He said that deputy commission Mohammad Ali Asghar had asked the relevant magistrates to ensure regular visits to respective areas to facilitate the consumers.