Srinagar: The sale of sacrificial animals has began to gather pace with sellers having a boom as there are hardly any takers for the rate fixed by the administration.
With just few days left for Eid-ul-Azha, there was feverish buying of animals in the vast Eidgah area, where huge markets have been set up, on Tuesday.
“I purchased three sheep for Rs. 35, 000,” said Muhammad Subhan, a businessman from Lal Bazar area in downtown of the city. Apart from Eidgah, many goatherds herded livestock in parts of city in search of customers.
“Only few animals are left now. By the grace of Allah, the sales have been more than expected,” said Naseer Ahmad Paswal, who was waiting for the customer to sell the sheep at Khaniyar near ‘Dastageer sahib’ shrine. “This Eid is different. People seem not too bothered about the rates of sacrificial animals,” he added.
“It is not the time to bargain. After all it is festival and let these people (goatherds) get what they deserve,” said Fayaz Ahmad of Nawak Kadal while purchasing two animals for eleven thousand each.
The nomadic Bakarwals carry thousands of sheep and goats, herding them across the Pir Panchal mountain range, to reach the Valley.
Travelling hundreds of miles on foot with their families, household goods, tents and livestock, the tribal Bakarwals endure tremendous hardships particular on account of weather vagaries.
The festival is being celebrated in this part of the world on Saturday to commemorate Prophet Abrahim’s (AS) submission to Allah’s will. Prophet Abrahim (AS) was ordered to sacrifice his beloved son prophet Ismail (AS). At the last minute, when the father’s blade was about to slit the son’s throat, a goat from heaven replaced prophet Ismail (AS).
Given the feverish buying of sacrificial animals in the Eidgah and other parts of the city, no seller seems to be concerned by the government rate for different variety of live sheep.
According to the Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Nisar Ahmad Wani, the rate per Kg, for live sheep (Delhi Wala) has fixed at Rs 205 (Delhi Walla), Rs 195 (Bakerwal), Rs 180 for Kashmiri local and Rs 180 for goat.
“They are selling the local sheep for Rs 225 to Rs 250 per kg while those brought from outside are being sold for more than Rs 250,” said Ali Mohammad, a resident of Buchpora as he was bargaining with goatherds.
With thousands of sheep and goat sold and bought each day, hardly anyone seems to be bothered for the exorbitant rates
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