MUTTON CRISIS: Stalemate over rates push retail dealers to roads

MUTTON CRISIS: Stalemate over rates push retail dealers to roads

Appeals authorities to find ‘amicable’ solution to problems of mutton dealers of Kashmir

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, Feb 23 (KNO): At a time when impasse over mutton rates continues between the government and wholesale dealers, retail dealers on Tuesday staged a protest here urging authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem so that the mutton crisis ends in the Valley.

The retail dealers who had gathered at Press Colony to register their protest against the continuous stalemate between the two sides over the mutton rates according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said their families are on the verge of starvation as their shops are closed for the last four months.

They appealed the government to end the four month long impasse and find an amicable solution to the problems which they said has caused immense hardships for them.

“We appeal the authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem. The stalemate over mutton rates has not only affected common masses but retail industry too has taken a hit,” said Mohammad Saleem, a protester.

He said their shops have been closed ever since the government announced fresh rates for mutton which led to the stalemate between wholesale mutton dealers and the authorities concerned.

“Our shops are closed for the last four months as the two sides have yet to come to some conclusion over mutton rates. We are poor people who cannot afford to sit at home. How long we suffer, we appeal Lieutenant Governor to personally look into the issue so that four months long impasse comes to an end,” he added—(KNO)