Mobile courts started functioning in the city to maintain law and order, control markets, traffic and check illegal occupation of footpaths by hawkers in the month of Ramadan.

On the first day two mobile courts led by metropolitan magistrates Rashid Ahmad and Md Shafiqur Rahman conducted drives throughout the day since 9 in the morning.

The drives were conducted at Karnaphuli market, Kazir Dewry market, Betarigoli, Pahartoli Kancha Bazar, Baroquarter, Chawk Bazaar and Bibirhut.

Twenty shop owners at Karnaphuli and Kazir Dewry markets were fined for cheating customers with faulty scales and Tk 49,700 were realised from them.

Besides, adulterated food items including ghee (butter oil), vermicelli, sauce and pickle were seized and punitive measures were taken against the persons involved in selling the food items.