Seek Government Intervention for compensation of losses
Suhail Khan
Sopore, Sep 29 : The fruit growers in north Kashmir’s Apple Town Sopore are again up in arms against authorities for failing to redress their genuine issues of the traders associated with this sector.
As per Kashmir Despatch correspondent scores of fruit growers on Tuesday held a protest at Sopore fruit mandi to demand smooth movement of vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
The protesters were holding placards and banners carrying messages like “Save fruit industry”, “Save Growers”, “Open N/H-44 24 Hours for fruit ladder trucks”, M.I.S Chalo Karo” etc.
The protestors said that authorities are “unnecessarily” stopping fruit laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu highway which adds to the sufferings of this already hit industry.
While expressing serious concern over the recent announcement of pakage by Lt Governor in which he dropped this sector.
The protesting fruit growers termed this decison as a mother-steply attitude towards this Asia’s second largest fruit mandi.
They warned that they would suspend trade at Fruit Mandi Sopore in case law enforcement agencies continued to stop fruit and vegetable-laden trucks on the national highway.
Sopore Fruit Mandi president, Fayaz Ahamd Malik told Kashmir Despatch that authorities neglect attitude towards this sector makes fruit growers in trouble as it has been two years people associated with this sector are facing huge losses. He said authorities hardly bother to take any steps towards the development of this sector.
President also demanded the revocation of M.I.A scheme at earliest and compensation to the growers for the unnecessary losses suffered by them due to avoidable halts on national highway.
