Srinagar, Aug. 1 -- It started, as such things often do, far from home. In Punjab, a new private contractor took over cattle fairs. Fees changed, tensions flared, and trucks carrying livestock were halted. Kashmiri mutton dealers, stranded and helpless, traveled to Delhi and Punjab to plead for clarity. Back home, meat counters stayed empty.

Eventually, the Punjab government appointed nodal officers to manage disputes. The strike was lifted. For now, meat is back. But the core problem remains untouched: Kashmir does not produce what it consumes.

The numbers are stark. Kashmir consumes over 500 lakh kilograms of mutton every year. Nearly all of it comes from outside. In 2024, local production covered less than 10% of that need.

For a re...