Kashmir News Trust’ #KNT
The halting of apple-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway triggered a protest in parts of Kashmir capital Srinagar even fruit growers set apple boxes on fire as a mark of protest calling the closure of the highway as the ‘murder of Kashmir economy’.
Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union staged protest in Press Colony and Primpora Fruit Mandi on Monday.
They said ‘highway repairs’ are only excuse to dent the economy of Kashmir. “Why other vehicles especially convoys are being allowed to ply on Srinagar-Jammu Highway and only fruit-laden trucks are halted? We have suffered major losses. Fruit growers are finished due to the callous attitude of the government,” the protesters said.
“We have over 8,000 trucks carrying apples worth a billion rupees halted on the highway for the last two weeks. Apples have started rotting now and there is now no fun to take these trucks to desired destinations,” Bashir Ahmad Basheer, the head of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union to reporters during the protest.
He said the apple industry is one of the biggest industries of Kashmir while it gives employment and sustenance to thousands of people.
“We fail to understand why only apple-laden trucks are stopped and why the highway repairs started in this peak time,” the protesters said adding that fruit mandis will remain shut till the government doesn’t come forward. (KNT)
