MINGORA: Residents of Mingora complained on Friday about 100 per cent increase in price of ice in the local markets.

`We are already in misery due to prolonged loadshedding as we are unable to either get cold water and ice in refrigerators in the holy month, forcing us to purchase ice from markets. But, the dealers have unjustifiably doubled its price, Abdul Haseeb of Mingora complained.

`I wanted to buy ice worth Rs30 but the dealer refused saying the minimum price was Rs50 per piece,` said Zaiullah.

He said he was a daily wager and was unable to purchase expensive ice. People have not only to pay high price for ice they also have to wait for it while standing in long queues.

`Sometimes people fight with each other to get ice first, Saqib Khan, a young boy said, adding purchasing ice was a difficult task in fasting.

People demanded of the government to take action against the profiteers. `The district administration does not bother to keep an eye on ice dealers,` Sikandar Khan, a social activist, said.

Ice dealers, majority of whom are truckers, said they brought ice from far off ice factories at double the cost. `We have to bring ice from factories in Mardan, Charsadda, and Peshawar, and bear extra charges on fuel, so we have to sell ice at high rates,` said a truck driver.

Despite several attempts to contact the officials at the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner`s offices to know their viewpoint, no response was received. Correspondent