Mutton dealers end strike after Govt’s intervention

Srinagar, Aug 1: Kashmir’s mutton dealers have called off their strike and resumed livestock imports after the Punjab government appointed district-level Nodal Officers to address alleged harassment and arbitrary charges during the transit of livestock trucks, a key grievance that had disrupted meat supply across Kashmir for nearly a week.

The move followed mounting pressure from livestock traders in Kashmir, who accused Punjab-based cattle fair contractors of “extortion, unlawful detentions, and overcharging of trucks carrying sheep and goats during their passage through the state”.

In an official communication, Punjab’s Rural Development and Panchayat Department announced the deployment of Nodal Officers across all districts for the 2025-26 cattle fair season.

These officers will oversee the movement of livestock, verify purchase documents, and resolve payment disputes between contractors and traders, particularly in border districts that receive a high volume of livestock from other states, including J&K.

The Nodal Officers, primarily Senior Executive Panchayat Officers (SEPOs) and Panchayat Officers (POs), have also been directed to display their contact information at all animal checkpoints for public access and submit monthly reports to the department.

The initiative comes in the wake of a Rs 92.56 crore contract awarded to AL Baber Marketing Pvt Ltd for managing Punjab’s cattle fairs this fiscal year.

The policy shift by Punjab was welcomed by Kashmiri traders, who had halted cattle imports in protest.

Their week-long strike had triggered a shortage of mutton during Kashmir’s peak wedding season, pushing local butchers to the edge and creating widespread public anxiety.

“The steps taken by the Punjab government are satisfactory, and we have decided to call off the strike,” said Mehrajuddin Ganie, General Secretary of the Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association. “The appointment of Nodal Officers will bring some level of transparency and accountability, which we had been demanding for a long time.”

Ganie also acknowledged the role played by the J&K administration in de-escalating the crisis.

“The Commissioner Secretary and Director of the Food and Supplies Department were in regular touch with us during our stay in Punjab. Their support helped ensure that the matter was taken up seriously with the Punjab authorities,” he said.

Traders say that while the appointment of Nodal Officers marks a positive step, long-term solutions will require consistent enforcement, better regulation of private contractors managing cattle fairs, and institutional safeguards to prevent future harassment.

With livestock supply chains now back in motion, mutton shops in the Valley are expected to restock over the next two to three days, bringing relief to consumers and stabilising prices that had begun to spike in local markets.

For now, the crisis may be over, but traders warn that vigilance will be key.

“This shouldn’t be a one-time fix,” said another Srinagar-based dealer. “We will keep monitoring how the system works on the ground.”