Concerns Rise Over Spoiled Meat Resurgence in Kashmir
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expresses alarm over the return of spoiled meat in Kashmir, urging government accountability and public safety.
Srinagar, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : A troubling issue has resurfaced in the Kashmir Valley regarding spoiled meat, raising alarms among residents. Senior religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq voiced his concerns on Sunday about renewed efforts to introduce such products into the region.
In a post on the social media platform X, Mirwaiz highlighted the shock and serious worries that have arisen following recent seizures of spoiled meat. He commended the swift action taken by police officers involved in the confiscation. However, he questioned how such practices continue despite last year’s public outrage and assurances from authorities regarding strict security measures and actions against those involved.
Mirwaiz urged the government to clarify the situation and make all relevant facts public. He emphasized the need for accountability and stringent action against those responsible for this heinous crime, stressing that the public must be able to trust the food they consume.
On Saturday, officials at Budgam railway station seized approximately 1,600 kilograms of spoiled meat packed in 44 boxes. The meat was deemed unfit for human consumption due to its foul odor and failure to meet cold-chain conditions. This operation was a collaborative effort involving the Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA), railway police, railway authorities, and Budgam district administration.
The confiscated shipment was confirmed by a veterinarian and subsequently destroyed. An FIR has been filed under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
This incident follows a series of significant food safety actions in the Kashmir Valley, including the recent seizure of unauthorized food colorings in kebabs and meatballs in Srinagar. Previous large-scale confiscations have severely impacted local restaurants and the meat market.
In July and August 2025, a major food safety scandal emerged when authorities seized and destroyed around 12,000 kilograms (12 tons) of spoiled, unlabeled, and chemically treated meat in Jammu and Kashmir. This operation revealed an organized supply chain that was bringing in cheap, rejected meat from outside the union territory without proper cold-chain storage to local eateries.
