Srinagar: Fruit growers and dealers of north Kashmir on Saturday held a peaceful protest at Fruit Mandi Sopore over stoppage of fruit-laden trucks along Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in view of the Amarnath Yatra.
Reports said that the fruit growers and dealers held a peaceful protest and urged the LG administration to allow smooth passage of fruit-laden trucks on the national highway.
They said that they have already suffered huge losses over the past several years and now they have to face more losses if fresh fruit-laden trucks are not allowed smooth passage along the highway.
They also said that that they welcome Amarnath pilgrims but they should not be made to suffer at the cost of yatra.
They added that they have been in touch with the administration for the last several days but nothing has been done as yet.
Meanwhile, the protestors urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene into the matter and order smooth and hassle-free movement of fruit-laden trucks on the national highway so that they don’t suffer anymore losses.
Meanwhile, National Conference on Saturday expressed resentment over halting of fruit laden trucks on NH-44 in view of underway Amarnath Yatra, saying normal life and business of local populace living on the yatra route should not be made to suffer.
Urging the LG-led administration to allow smooth passage of fruit-laden trucks on the national highway, the party MP from Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi and other leaders said that the fruit growers have already suffered huge losses over the past several years and now they have to face more losses as fresh fruit-laden trucks are not allowed smooth passage along the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
“After witnessing sullen and silent losses for years, orchardists had pinned high hopes following the bumper harvest of cherry, plums and other fruits. Unfortunately for them, their produce which was supposed to reach fruit mandis across the country is lying stuck on the highway for reasons known to the administration. Sweltering heat wave in the valley has destroyed truckloads of fruits, vegetables plying to and fro from Srinagar to other parts of the country. Much losses have been incurred by mutton dealers as well,” the leaders said.
Asking the government to review the security arrangements, they said, “Security arrangements are well understood but not at the cost of people’s economic activities. Having such dim witted diktat in place has not only dampened the festive spirit of people but also given a death blow to the already suffering businesses. Therefore in the greater interests of the people and their economic prospects, the ongoing security arrangement should be reviewed and attuned to people’s needs.
