Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson J&K Manzoor Bhat expresses serious concern over the continued harassment, extortion, and exploitation of Jammu and Kashmir livestock transporters at Punjab checkpoints, even 47 days after a formal appeal was made by the Jammu and Kashmir government to resolve the issue.
Despite a written communication from the office of the J&K Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Transport, Science & Technology and ARI Trainings seeking a government to government meeting to address the crisis Punjab authorities have shown complete indifference. No response was received, no meeting was scheduled, and repeated reminders have gone unanswered.
At key checkpoints such as Shambhu and Madhopur, livestock transporters continue to face illegal stoppages, extortion, and harassment. Trucks carrying livestock are being forced to pay bribes, severely impacting interstate trade and pushing traders into financial distress. This blatant lawlessness raises serious questions about inter-state coordination and governance.
Bhat said that the consequences are now being borne by the common people of Jammu and Kashmir. Due to this unchecked harassment and illegal levies, mutton prices across the Valley have surged to ₹750 per kilogram. If the situation continues, prices are bound to rise further, making mutton unaffordable for poor and middle class familiesespecially with the holy month of Ramzan and the festival of Eid approaching.
It is extremely unfortunate that while the National Conference government claims to stand for people’s welfare, it has failed to pursue this issue seriously. Sending letters as a mere formality without follow up reflects administrative weakness. When even a small but critical issue affecting daily life cannot be resolved in 47 days, how can people expect this government to fulfill the larger promises it made, many of which remain unfulfilled even after one and a half years.
Manzoor Bhat strongly urges the Omar Abdullah–led National Conference government to act without further delay and take this issue seriously in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP demands that the J&K government immediately engage with the Punjab government, which is led by the Aam Aadmi Party, and constitute a joint ministerial-level team from both states. This team must hold direct talks and ensure that the ongoing harassment, extortion, and obstruction faced by Jammu and Kashmir’s mutton traders and livestock transporters at Punjab checkpoints is stopped forthwith.
This issue must be resolved on priority, especially as major religious occasions are approaching. The holy month of Ramzan and the festival of Eid are near, and failure to sort out this problem before these important days will further burden poor and middle-class families who are already struggling with inflated mutton prices.
Comments are closed.