Mirwaiz urges authorities to reveal action taken over ‘rotten meat’ issue

Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged authorities to make public the status of the investigation into the “rotten meat” scandal, in which the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) seized tonnes of unlabelled, rotten and potentially unlawful meat being openly sold across the Kashmir Valley.

Delivering his Friday sermon at the Jama Masjid here, Mirwaiz said the revelations had “deeply shaken the trust of people”, questioning how such large-scale malpractice was allowed to continue unchecked for so long. He recalled that authorities had promised a thorough inquiry to identify those responsible and ensure accountability.

“The issue also highlighted the serious gaps in food safety and regulation in the Union Territory,” he added.

Mirwaiz said that despite more than four months having passed, there has been no update on the progress of the probe. He said people have a right to know the results of the tests conducted on the seized meat, whether the culprits have been identified and booked, and if their businesses have been shut down. “Is such meat no longer in the market?” he asked.

He said transparency is essential for restoring public confidence. “Accountability demands public disclosure. The administration must inform people about the findings of the investigation and the corrective measures taken to strengthen food safety and regulation after this serious incident,” he said.

In September, police had registered six cases against individuals and establishments for selling rotten meat in violation of public health and safety norms. The action followed the confiscation of nearly 13,000 kg of meat and related products during enforcement drives across J&K. Authorities had also warned food business operators to ensure strict compliance with safety standards or face legal action.