For a state in turmoil, it comes as a surprise that the people of Kashmir are going to rake up a bill of Rs125 crore and more on purchasing sacrificial cattle to mark the Bakr Eid.
More than four lakh animals will be slaughtered in Kashmir and around 70,000 in Srinagar alone during the festival
SRINAGAR: For a state in turmoil, it comes as a surprise that the people of Kashmir are going to rake up a bill of Rs125 crore and more on purchasing sacrificial cattle to mark the Bakr Eid today.
Though the rates have skyrocketed, ranging from Rs5,000 right up to Rs50,000 per animal, there is no shortage of buyers. On Bakr Eid, almost all affluent Muslims slaughter animals and distribute their meat among the needy and poor to commemorate the sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim, and to fulfill the commandments of God. The Eid also marks the culmination of annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
More than four lakh animals will be slaughtered in Kashmir; around 70,000 in Srinagar alone. “People have spent huge amounts of money on buying animals for offering sacrifices this Eid. We have fixed a rate of Rs90 per kg of meat. More than 24 lakh kgs of meat will be distributed,” said Dr Shafat Kakroo, general manager J&K Sheep Development Board.
Mutton consumption in Kashmir is one of the highest in the country and nearly 15 lakh sheep and goat are imported annually from Rajasthan. However, this accounts for only 60 per cent of the total consumption, and the rest is generated indigenously. “We normally import 5,000 cattle and sheep everyday, but during Bakr Eid we import more to meet the demand,” said Dr Muneer Ahmad Hakeem, director Sheep Husbandry department.
“This is celebration time because Eid is the only festival which we can celebrate in peace. Otherwise, there is always tension. We want to make it memorable and that is why we are not cutting costs to buy new clothes and other items for our kids,” said Maqsood Ahmad, a local resident of Bemina.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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