Srinagar, Dec 16: Twelve days after the Jammu and Kashmir Government formally wrote to the Punjab Chief Minister seeking an end to alleged extortion and harassment of livestock transporters at Shambhu and Madhopur checkpoints, there has been no response from the Punjab administration, fuelling anger and frustration among Kashmir’s mutton traders.
The communication, dated December 4, was sent by the office of the J&K Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport and allied departments, requesting “an urgent appointment” with the Punjab Chief Minister to resolve issues concerning the interstate movement of livestock to J&K.
However, despite repeated follow-ups, Punjab has not even acknowledged the letter, insiders from the Mutton Dealers Association said.
“It’s shocking that even after a formal letter from one government to another, there’s total silence. The transporters are being bled dry at these checkpoints, and nobody in Punjab seems to care,” said a senior mutton dealer.
The J&K Government had earlier flagged the issue after reports of “illegal payments and harassment” at Punjab’s transit points surfaced, with dealers warning of a possible ‘price hike’ if the extortion continued unchecked.
“We are being pushed to the wall,” said Mehraj Ud Din, General Secretary of the Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association. “Our government did its job by taking up the issue officially on December 4. The question is, why is Punjab silent? Does this mean they endorse what’s happening on the highways?”
Dealers have urged the Punjab government to immediately intervene and direct its enforcement agencies to stop illegal practices that obstruct livestock transport to J&K.
“If this continues, it will hit not just traders but consumers in the Valley. Prices will shoot up, and the blame will rest squarely on Punjab’s inaction,” Mehraj Ud Din said, adding, “As of now, we are waiting, but there should be a decision on this soon; otherwise, our stance may shift.”—(KNO)
