Kulgam Livestock Owners Allege Veterinary Emergency Helpline 1962 Unresponsive
Kulgam, Oct 15: KNT: Livestock owners in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district have raised concerns over the alleged failure of the Animal Husbandry Department’s emergency veterinary helpline 1962, claiming that repeated attempts to seek assistance for ailing animals have gone unanswered.
Locals said calls to the toll-free number are allegedly disconnected automatically after a short wait, leaving livestock owners struggling to obtain timely veterinary assistance during emergencies.
The helpline is intended to facilitate veterinary care through a mobile ambulance service staffed by veterinary doctors and equipped with medicines, particularly for livestock owners in rural areas who may face difficulties accessing treatment.
Dozens of Kulgam natives who spoke to the news agency Kashmir News Trust said that the inaccessibility of the service has resulted in serious losses, with some claiming that cows died after they were unable to secure timely assistance. The circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and any direct link with the helpline’s alleged failure have not been independently established.
This reporter also dialled the helpline to verify the complaints. The call disconnected automatically, adding to concerns over whether the service was accessible when needed.
Locals questioned the effectiveness of an emergency veterinary service if callers could not reach the concerned staff during critical situations. They said delays in obtaining treatment could have serious consequences for livestock owners, particularly those dependent on cattle for their livelihood.
They have urged the Animal Husbandry Department and the district administration to investigate the reported call-disconnection problem, determine whether technical or operational issues are affecting the service and ensure that veterinary ambulances respond promptly to requests for assistance.
An official response from the department regarding the allegations was not available at the time of filing this report. [KNT]
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