Jammu, June 29 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann to intervene immediately to stop the alleged unauthorised collection of money from livestock transport vehicles passing through Punjab, saying the practice is imposing a heavy financial burden on traders and driving up mutton prices in the Union Territory.
In a formal communication to the Punjab Chief Minister, Abdullah highlighted complaints received from the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union, which alleged that livestock-laden vehicles heading to Jammu and Kashmir are being stopped at checkpoints in Punjab and forced to make substantial payments despite carrying all valid permits and transport documents.
According to an internal inquir...