Srinagar, June 12: Once a bustling sacrificial market, Eidgah in Srinagar is now wearing a deserted look, with some sellers yet to sell any sacrificial animals, despite a few days left until Eid-ul-Adha.
Sellers at the biggest market in Srinagar have reported slump in sales this year. They mentioned that in previous years, the market would pick up pace in the days leading up to Eid, but this year it appears deserted, causing them significant distress.
Bilah Bhat, of Batamaloo who has been involved in the sheep business for about ten years, has experienced a significant decline in sales this year. He has only sold 30 sheep during this period, a stark contrast to the 150 he typically sold in the same timeframe in previous years. “I sold those sheep at a minimal profit because people don’t have the buying power they used to,” explained Ganaie.
Abdul Rashid, a resident of Budgam, tried selling his sheep at Eidgah for the first time but hasn’t managed to attract any customers yet. “Back home, the financial situation of people wasn’t good this year, so I thought about selling here. However, it seems people here are also in a poor economic condition,” lamented Ahmed as he tended to his sheep adorned with henna and blue paint.
A seller from the Kokernag area told Rising Kashmir that he has been in Srinagar for a week but unfortunately has not sold any sacrificial animals. He added that people are not even inquiring about the rates. This business is their sole source of income, but it has nearly vanished this season.
Meanwhile, mutton dealers in Kashmir have expressed frustration with the authorities as hundreds of vehicles are stranded on the Udhampur-Samba highway. They stated that they had been stuck since last night, and no officials were listening to their pleas or allowing them to proceed.
Mehraj-u-Din Ganai, General Secretary of the Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association told Rising Kashmir that around 150 trucks loaded with livestock are stranded, and they are desperately pleading with the administration for help, but their appeals are being ignored.
Ganai noted that livestock worth lakhs have already died due to high temperatures. “With only a few days left before Eid, there seems to be no one willing to listen to them.”
