Shopian orchard slashed as locals decry fresh act of intimidation in IIOJK
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, unidentified miscreants vandalised an orchard in the Keller area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, locals say the cutting down of dozens of young apple plants is part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation under the Modi regime. Around 35 to 45 high-value Italian apple plants were found axed in the orchard of Rayees Wani of Check Keller early this morning.
The deliberate cutting of the trees caused a severe economic setback to the family, which depends on the orchard for its livelihood.
Locals said the vandalism appeared intentional and aimed at creating fear among orchardists. They pointed out that in the past, Indian army troops and their backed elements have been involved in similar acts of destruction and harassment, particularly targeting farmers and orchard owners to break their economic backbone.
Such incidents not only inflict heavy financial losses on individual families but also heighten insecurity in the agriculture-dependent territoryas apple industry is one of the mainstays of Kashmir’s economy. The industry has increasingly come under pressure due to repeated attacks, raids, and unjustified actions by Indian forces and associated operatives.
The villagers strongly condemned the latest vandalism, terming it a calculated move to undermine local livelihoods and intimidate the broader community. They stressed that the targeting of orchards fits a broader pattern of coercion aimed at weakening the Kashmiri people economically.
