Bilal veri cni
Srinagar, (cni) , : Kashmir is staring at a major meat shortage after the Mutton Dealers Association of Kashmir announced an indefinite halt in the transportation of live animals from other states, citing daily harassment, extortion, and bribe demands at checkpoints in Punjab.

The association’s General Secretary, Mehrajuddin Ganai, said that drivers transporting livestock are being forced to pay bribes of up to Rs 15,000 at the Shambu and Madhopur checkpoints in Punjab. “Today alone, due to delay and heat, more than 50 sheep died in the trucks. We are facing unbearable losses,” he said.

Ganai stressed that the decision is not a strike but a helpless measure forced upon the traders due to continuous exploitation. “We apologize to the public, especially to families preparing for weddings. But we can no longer afford these losses.”

According to the association, suppliers in Rajasthan, Sikar, Firozpur, Delhi, and Ambala have extended their support to the decision, as similar harassment is reportedly affecting traders across the livestock supply chain.

Ganai urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene immediately and send a fact-finding team to Punjab to assess the situation firsthand. “We are ready to provide all documents and evidence. But action is urgently needed,” he said.

He recalled a similar crisis in 2016 when the issue was resolved only after a minister visited Punjab. “Thousands of families depend on this trade. If nothing changes, the supply halt may be prolonged, leading to a full-blown crisis,” he warned.

With Kashmir’s meat supply heavily reliant on livestock from northern states, the suspension is expected to severely impact availability and prices in the coming days. (CNI)