Shop attack over sandal price triggers protest, Salana town closed

On Wednesday, a sandal and footwear shop in Salana town was targeted by a group of individuals who allegedly assaulted the shopkeeper and damaged the premises over a disagreement about the price of a pair of slippers. The incident sparked immediate outrage among local traders, who said the attack was unprovoked and reflected rising tensions over pricing in the market.

In response, the Salana Traders' Federation called for a shutdown of commercial activities across the town to pressurise authorities for swift action against the accused. As a result, most shops and market stalls remained closed throughout the day, and a peaceful demonstration was organised outside the municipal office.

Local police were deployed to the area, and senior officials announced that a thorough investigation would be launched and that anyone found responsible would face strict legal consequences. The closure of Salana on Wednesday marked a rare instance of a town-wide protest driven by a single commercial dispute.