KHYBER: Scores of dealers and daily wagers have stopped excavation of marble stones from mines in Malagori in protest against the recent hike in royalty tax by the provincial minerals department. Local residents of Malagori associated with the business said that the royalty was increased without taking them into confidence. They rejected the decision, saying it would put a financial burden on them. Retired Subedar Sabz Ali, a spokesman for the crushed stone dealers, said that over 50 loaded vehicles were now stranded at various marble mines in Malagori as they had refused to supply the commodity to the people in Peshawar and other adjoining areas who had ordered it for construction purpose.