Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Sept 11: With the unrest entering its third month in Kashmir, a drastic drop in the sale of sacrificial animals is being witnessed as some people have refrained from sacrificing animals for Eid-ul-Adha due to multiple reasons in wake of the prevailing situation.
The designated special markets for sale of sacrificial animals across Kashmir bear a deserted look with security personnel guarding the areas amid security restrictions and shutdown.
An official at the Department of Sheep and Animal Husbandry explained that there has been fifty percent decrease in the demand of sheep this year as most of the people have decided not to offer sacrifices of animals.
“Some people are not sacrificing this year, others have cut the number of animals due to various reasons and one is: they have to distribute the meat to neighbors, relatives and the poor which looks impossible due to call of protests and restrictions,” he said.
Director Sheep husbandry, Dr K K Sharma, said there is less enthusiasm among people and demand is also low. “Since the demand is less so is the supply. We have enough animals but people do not come as roads are blocked. Our staff is continuously monitoring the sale of animals but we are unable to reach some places due to prevailing situations,” he said.
When asked about the availability of sheep in Srinagar, he said: “sheep will be available at all the thirty designated mandis of Srinagar and our employees will be available for any sort of advice.” According to officials, Kashmir has a requirement of over four lakh sheep on Eid including 23,000 for Srinagar and 2,10,000 for others districts.
Apart from importing the animals from states like Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab, a major chunk of animals come from the local sheep-farms of Kashmir which are also bearing the brunt of unrest as they cannot ferry the animals. Kaisar Ahmad, a sheep-farm owner said that last year he sold nearly three hundred sheep in just four days.
“Last year, I sold three hundred sheep but this time I am struggling to sell my sixty sheep. Seeing the profit and demand in the business last year I reared the sheep myself but due to the present unrest I am having a tough time. No one is happy on this Eid and we are not able to sell it at appropriate public place due to restrictions,” he said.
The temporary markets like Eidgah in Old Srinagar, Chuddi market in Pulwama, Shadargah Sahib in Baramulla and various venues where people used to shop sheep and goat are deserted. In first three days of Eid, people sacrifice sheep and other sacrificial animals to honor the willingness of Islam’s, Prophet Abrahim, to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to Allah’s command. Muslims follow the religious obligations of sacrificing livestock to display their obedience to God.
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