IIOJK: Sopore fruit growers stage protest over highway blockades, warn of sector collapse
Srinagar: Hundreds of fruit growers and traders in Sopore, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), staged a peaceful protest against the anti-people policies of the BJP regime, warning that the Valley’s horticulture sector is on the verge of collapse.
According to Kashmir Media Service, protesters highlighted mounting financial losses and the failure of authorities to ensure smooth transportation for perishable produce. They described this year’s harvest as one of the worst in recent memory.
Addressing the media in Sopore, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of the Sopore Fruit Mandi Association, said thousands of fruit-laden trucks have been stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway over the past two weeks, causing estimated losses of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 crore. “The perishable nature of the produce means every hour of delay causes irreversible damage to the livelihood of thousands of growers,” Malik said. He emphasized the urgent need to restore highway connectivity, calling it the lifeline of the Valley’s fruit industry. “Kashmir is a major exporter of apples and other horticultural produce. Without reliable transportation, the entire sector is collapsing under financial stress,” he added.
Protesters warned that continued disruptions could push the horticulture industry into complete financial ruin, urging authorities to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and protect the backbone of Kashmir’s economy.
The protest ended peacefully but with a stark warning: immediate action is needed to prevent the Valley’s fruit industry from collapsing under financial stress.
