ibn sultan
Srinagar, July 3: The mutton supply crisis in Kashmir is expected to ease after the Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Friday called off its strike following intervention by the Punjab government.
KMDA General Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said the association was informed that the Punjab government had directed the police not to stop livestock vehicles at checkpoints and had also instructed livestock markets (mandis) to resume supply.
“The strike has been called off. We have been informed that Punjab Police has been directed not to obstruct our vehicles at checkpoints. Livestock mandis have also been asked to restart supply,” he said.
However, Mehraj-ud-Din added that the association is awaiting formal written orders and will assess the situation on the ground to ensure the directions are implemented effectively.
“We are waiting for the official orders. After that, we will review the ground situation and see whether the instructions are being implemented in letter and spirit,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the transportation of livestock to Jammu and Kashmir would resume smoothly in the coming days.
The strike had disrupted the movement of sheep from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir for several days, raising fears of a mutton shortage across Kashmir, particularly during the ongoing wedding season.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had taken up the matter with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, describing the action against J&K livestock traders as “unjustified” and seeking immediate intervention to restore normal supplies.
