In wake of alleged threats from unknown quarters the four milk processing companies in Kashmir Valley have shut down their industrial units on Monday. These milk processing units located at State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) Lassipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are Zum Zum, Haleeb, Koh-i-Sheen and Naimat.
The owners of these Milk Units told that they had been continuously receiving threats from unknown quarters from past couple of days and on Monday they collectively took a decision to close their operations. “We were supplying 50 thousands liters of toned milk on daily basis in the markets while some of us were even supplying free milk to different hospitals of Kashmir for patients and attendants. We fail to understand why we are being targeted,” the owners of milk units Shafat Ahmed (Zum Zum) and Imtiyaz Ahmed Deen (Haleeb) said adding that milk is an essential commodity needed by people on daily basis. “If such a situation prevails, then shortly there will be scarcity of milk products in the market,” they said.
“Local milk processing units here supply and sell toned milk and other dairy products at cheaper rates while a tetra pack toned milk manufactured by outside state companies is sold at Rs 60 to a common consumer,” they said.
These owners added that some unidentified youth approached them and asked them to stop their operations. “They threatened us of dire consequences in case we didn’t wind up our operations. We had no option but to close down our business,” the owners said adding that it is conspiracy to damage the Kashmir milk industry.
“We met Syed Ali Geelani Sahb and made him aware about the situation. He expressed concern and assured us that he will look into the matter,” they said
