Srinagar, June 29

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday termed the levy imposed on livestock-laden vehicles passing through Punjab as "unjust" and said he has once again urged his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann to intervene and resolve the issue.

Jammu and Kashmir is staring at a mutton shortage as mutton dealers have suspended the transportation of livestock from Rajasthan in protest against the collection of taxes at checkpoints in Punjab. Traders maintain that they merely use the state's highways for transit and neither purchase nor sell livestock within Punjab.

Omar Abdullah said that he has taken up the issue with Punjab government for past several months.  "I myself spoke to the Chief Minister of Punjab and told him that this is an injustice to our mutton traders," Omar told reporters after attending “Jammu & Kashmir International Buyer-Seller Meet 2026” in Srinagar.

Chief Minister said the traders procure livestock from Rajasthan and transport it to Jammu and Kashmir without carrying out any commercial activity in Punjab. "They are only using the highway. Our mutton dealers should not be punished for using the highway. This tax is an injustice to our people," he said.

Omar said he has again taken up the matter with Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann through a letter and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved amicably.

"If not, we will have to raise this issue in the North Zone State Council and seek the intervention of the Central government because this tax is an illegal tax. We are not buying or selling goods in Punjab, so there is no need for this tax," he said.

Omar said Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir are neighbours and it is as such their duty to help. "Bhagwant Mann sahib is our neighbour. It is the duty of a neighbour to help his neighbour. I hope he will help us in this matter. He is also going to have an election soon. We will also help him in some way," he added.

Chief Minister also expressed optimism over the ongoing tourist season, saying popular destinations across the Valley are witnessing a steady inflow of visitors, but avoided commenting on whether tourist arrivals would surpass last year's figures.

Asked if the number of tourists would increase this year, Omar said the focus should remain on the positive impact of tourism rather than statistics.

"Don't talk about numbers. It is like shooting self in the foot by talking about numbers," he said, adding that tourists are arriving in good numbers and major destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam are witnessing heavy footfall.
"There is traffic congestion. Gulmarg is full. Pahalgam is full. People are earning. Let them earn," the Chief Minister said.

He cautioned against placing excessive emphasis on tourist arrival figures, saying such comparisons were unnecessary during the ongoing season.

On escalating tension in Middle East, Omar Abdullah expressed hope that the understanding reached between the United States and Iran would pave the way for lasting peace, while cautioning that the conflict has not ended yet.
Omar said only a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed and not a final peace agreement.
"The peace deal has not been signed yet. Only the MoU has been signed. There is a difference between the MoU and the final agreement," he said.

He added that under the MoU, both countries have given themselves 60 days to work towards a final agreement, but hostilities have continued.

"The bombardment is still going on. Even yesterday, there was bombardment. There were strikes on Iran, and there was bombardment involving Kuwait and Bahrain. The war has not ended completely yet," he said.

The Chief Minister said he hoped both sides would use the two-weeks window to consolidate the ceasefire and move towards a permanent resolution.

"I hope that in these two weeks, the MoU will be used properly by both the countries. No third country will sabotage this ceasefire, and this war should come to an end," he said.

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