Livestock dealers call off strike after Punjab Govt’s assurance
Srinagar, Jul 3: The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Friday called off the ongoing strike by livestock dealers after the Punjab government assured that sheep-laden vehicles would not be stopped at police checkpoints.
KMDA General Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said the association had been informed that the Punjab government had directed the police not to obstruct livestock vehicles at checkpoints and asked livestock mandis to resume supply.
“The strike has been called off. We have been told that the Punjab Police have been directed not to stop our vehicles at checkpoints.
The livestock mandis have also been asked to resume supply,” he said.
He, however, said the association was awaiting formal written orders before assessing the implementation of the directions on the ground.
“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,” Mehraj-ud-Din said.
He expressed hope that the transportation of livestock to Jammu and Kashmir would resume smoothly in the coming days.
The strike, which continued for several days, had disrupted the supply of sheep from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir, raising concerns over a possible shortage of mutton in Kashmir, particularly during the ongoing marriage season.
The issue had prompted intervention by the Jammu and Kashmir government, with the Chief Minister saying earlier that he had taken up the matter with his Punjab counterpart, , describing the action against J&K livestock traders as “unjustified.” KNO
