To curb the ongoing trend of uncontrolled price hike, the joint forces will continue their drives against unscrupulous retailers who overcharge consumers for daily commodities, said sources in the joint forces.

During a raid in the morning, the forces arrested two retailers from the New Market area.

The two businessmen, Abdul Khaleque, president of Banolata Kancha Bazar Babosayi Samity, and Shafiullah, vice president of the same organisation, were handed over to New Market Police Station in the afternoon.

In another raid later in the day, members of the joint forces apprehended retailers Golam Mustafa and Bachchu from Hatirpul kitchen market and handed them over to Shahbagh Police Station.

Process was underway to file cases against the arrested retailers.

Police sources quoting the joint forces said huge discrepancies have been detected between the retail and wholesale prices of essential commodities. To make a quick buck, many dishonest retailers have been charging more than double the wholesale price for the essential items.

Retailers have been warned on various occasions and were asked to refrain from such dishonest activities. Since many retailers continued to jack up prices of commodities, the recent drives are being launched against them, sources said.