By Tehelka Web Desk
The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Friday called off its week-long strike after the Punjab government assured that livestock vehicles carrying sheep to Jammu and Kashmir would not be stopped at checkpoints.
Announcing the decision, KMDA General Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said the association had received assurances from the Punjab government regarding the movement of livestock.
“The strike has been called off. We have been informed that the Punjab Police has been directed not to stop our vehicles at checkpoints. The livestock mandis have also been asked to resume supplies,” he said.
He, however, said the association was waiting for formal written orders before treating the issue as fully resolved.
“We are now waiting for the formal orders. After that, we will see how things move on the ground and whether the directions are implemented in letter and spirit,” he added.
The strike had disrupted the transportation of sheep from Punjab and other northern states, raising concerns over mutton supplies in Kashmir during the peak wedding season.
The dealers had alleged that livestock vehicles were being stopped at checkpoints in Punjab and subjected to unauthorised collections despite carrying valid documents. They maintained that livestock transportation is exempt from GST and that the alleged levy had made the trade economically unviable.
Meanwhile, President of the Mutton Retailers Association Kashmir, Khazir Mohammad Rigoo, said the issue had been resolved after the Punjab authorities withdrew the alleged levy. He said fresh consignments of sheep had started moving towards Kashmir and assured consumers that mutton would continue to be sold at the government-approved retail price of Rs 740 per kilogram.
“There will be no shortage of mutton during the ongoing wedding season. Supplies have resumed and consumers will get mutton at the prescribed rate,” Rigoo said.
The issue had also prompted intervention by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had taken up the matter with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and sought unhindered movement of livestock vehicles into the Union Territory.
