Srinagar, August 2:
Maroof Khan, a prominent youth political leader, has expressed deep concern following the seizure and destruction of 1,200 kilograms of rotten meat in Srinagar by the Food Safety Department and the Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO). He called on the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to take immediate and decisive action.
According to Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmad Mir, the foul-smelling, decomposed meat—brought in from outside the region—had been dumped in the industrial area of Zakura. It was about to be transported when specific inputs led to a timely intervention by the Food Safety team. The entire consignment, found unfit for human consumption, was safely destroyed as per protocol.
Maroof Khan praised the department’s swift response but warned that such incidents expose a deeper nexus of unscrupulous suppliers exploiting public trust and risking lives for profit.
“This is not a minor lapse; it is a public health crisis in the making. I urge the Honourable Minister to order a thorough probe into the supply chain and bring all those responsible to justice,” said Maroof Khan.
He emphasized the need for intensified market surveillance and regular inspections of cold storages, meat shops, and hotels—especially those dealing in frozen or perishable items.
“Food safety teams must remain active on the ground. This cannot be a one-time crackdown. A systematic cleanup and accountability mechanism is needed to prevent such horrors from recurring,” Khan stated.
Assistant Commissioner Hilal Ahmad Mir also highlighted the perishable nature of meat transported from outside the region and the serious health risks it poses if not stored in temperature-controlled environments. The department has now launched a detailed investigation into how the unsafe meat entered Srinagar and is tracing those involved in the supply network.
Maroof Khan concluded by urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food products:
“The lives of our people must not be compromised. The administration must send a strong message that such criminal negligence will not be tolerated.”
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