Srinagar, Mar 09: Kashmir Trade Alliance has expressed grave concern over the shortage of meat in Kashmir markets owing to a dispute between the administration and mutton dealers over prices. The alliance has said that the government should ensure availability of meat to the consumers.

In a press statement, KTA President Ajaz Shahdhar said that all concerned should come together to resolve the issue amicably keeping in view the hardships that the common people are facing.

"If selling meat at their shops by butchers and wholesalers at government prices is leading to losses for them and for this reason they have stopped selling it, where are roadside food carts, restaurants and hotels getting the meat from?" Shahdhar questioned. He said that apart from the sick and needy, meat is not being made available for even marriage functions but is being provided to hotel owners at extra prices.

Shahdhar also demanded that the administration should start a “massive crackdown” on those who are selling meat in the black markets. “It is a shame that meat is not available to the common people of the valley on a holy festival like Miraj-ul-Alam, and it should concern the administration and mutton dealers.”

He said that the government must find alternative ways to make meat available in the valley, and to resolve the issue amicably, the statement added.