By: Peerzada Waseeem
Sopore: The fruit growers and buyers at Asia’s largest Fruit Mandi in Sopore area of north Kashmir in Baramulla district staged a protest against the government for ‘failing’ to redress their concerns about their business.
Hundreds of fruit growers and buyers held a protest at Asia’s Largest Fruit Mandi Sopore, demanding authorities to allow the stranded fruit-laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway to proceed towards their destinations.
The protesters were holding placards and banners carrying demands like “Save fruit industry”, “Save Growers”, “Open N/H-44 24 Hours for fruit laden trucks” and M.I.S Chalo Karo”.
The protesters told KNO that authorities were “unnecessarily” stopping fruit laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu highway, which adds to the sufferings of this already hit industry.
Expressing serious concern over the recent announcement of the package by Lieutenant Governor, the protesters said that the sector has been ignored in the package.
The protesting fruit growers warned that they would suspend trade at Fruit Mandi Sopore in case law enforcement agencies continued to stop fruit and vegetable-laden trucks along the highway.
Sopore Fruit Mandi president, Fayaz Ahamd Malik said that despite approaching the higher authorities, they are continuously showing a neglected attitude towards this sector, thus putting the fruit growers in trouble. They said it has been two years since people associated with this sector are facing huge losses.
He said authorities hardly bother to take any step towards the development of this sector—(KNO)