Srinagar, Aug 10: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal Sunday expressed grave concern over the recent seizure of rotten meat and chicken across Kashmir, which has triggered widespread public alarm.
In a statement issued from the party headquarters at Nawa-e-Subha, Dr. Kamal said the issue appears to stem from a broader failure in the supply chain, where unscrupulous elements are exploiting gaps in regulatory oversight.
“The absence of a democratically elected government for years has emboldened such actors,” he said, adding that now with a democratically elected government in place, strict and exemplary action must be taken.
He termed the seizure of rotten meat not just a regulatory failure but a breach of consumer trust. “The government should launch a transparent and time-bound investigation into the entire episode,”he said adding, “The findings must be made public and accountability fixed at every level — from those handling the meat to the officials tasked with monitoring its transport and sale.”
Dr. Kamal emphasized the need for robust safeguards, calling for a ban on the sale of packed meat without clear and mandatory labeling, verified cold storage information, and halal certification. “Those endangering public health must be dealt with sternly. Authorities must take a scientific and systematic approach, collecting samples across Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring both local and outside suppliers are held accountable.”
Meanwhile, senior party legislators Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri and Dr. Sajad Uri also called on the government to act decisively against individuals and networks endangering consumer health and safety.
