Srinagar: Fruit growers across Kashmir staged strong yet peaceful protests on Monday against the continued closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), which has remained blocked for more than 20 days, leaving hundreds of fruit-laden trucks stranded.
The main protest was held at Fruit Mandi Parimpora, Srinagar, where hundreds of growers gathered in response to a call given by Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union. Protesters carried banners demanding the immediate restoration of the highway and urgent clearance of trucks carrying apples, pears, and other perishable fruits stuck at various points along NH-44.
“The prolonged highway blockade has caused complete damage to early varieties of apples, pears, and other fruits. If the situation continues, growers will face unbearable economic losses,” Basheer Ahmad Basheer said, urging the government to prioritise movement of stranded fruit-laden trucks to their destinations.
Similar demonstrations were held simultaneously at major fruit mandis across the Valley, including Sopore, Handwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Jablipora, Kulgam, Pulwama, Charar-e-Shareef, Anantnag, and Zazna Ganderbal.
The Union stressed that the fruit industry, a vital pillar of Kashmir’s economy, is under severe threat due to recurring highway disruptions, and called on authorities to take immediate action to ensure smooth transportation of horticulture produce.
