Srinagar, Jul 31: With the harvesting of early apple varieties gaining momentum, Kashmir’s horticulture sector has voiced growing concern over repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, urging the administration to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks to markets across the country.

Growers and traders said recurring traffic interruptions caused by landslides, flash floods, shooting stones, road maintenance, and restrictions associated with the ongoing Amarnath Yatra have begun affecting the transportation of fresh produce, raising fears of financial losses during the crucial marketing season.

Kashmir’s apple industry, which supports lakhs of families and contributes close to Rs 12,000 crore annually to J&K’s economy, depends almost entirely on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for transporting fruit to wholesale markets in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.

Stakeholders said any delay on the highway directly affects the quality and market value of the produce, particularly early-season varieties like Gala apples and plums, which have a relatively short shelf life.

President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said growers were anxious as fruit dispatches had coincided with weather-related disruptions and traffic regulation on the highway.

“We appeal to the administration to treat fruit-laden trucks as a priority. Perishable produce cannot remain stranded for long, and every delay translates into losses for growers. We also hope the authorities will restore traffic quickly whenever the highway is affected by adverse weather,” he said.

Basheer said transporters have also been affected by traffic management measures in place during the annual Amarnath Yatra. Acknowledging the importance of the yatra, he appealed to the authorities to devise a mechanism that allows fruit trucks to move without prolonged waiting periods.

“The harvesting of Gala apples and plums has already begun, and buyers from outside J&K expect timely deliveries. We have started receiving complaints about delayed consignments. This can affect both our reputation and the prices growers receive,” he said.

According to the union, nearly 100 to 120 trucks loaded with fruit leave Kashmir every day during the present harvesting phase. Growers believe this volume can be managed efficiently if dedicated time slots or priority movement are provided for vehicles carrying perishable goods.

Although the administration has advised transporters to use the Mughal Road whenever the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway faces disruption, traders said the alternative route is not suitable for large-scale fruit transportation.

Javed Ahmad, a fruit trader from Sopore, said infrastructure limitations make the road an impractical option for most transporters.

“The Mughal Road is still not equipped to handle the majority of trucks used for transporting apples. Most consignments move in 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks, whereas the alternative route is better suited for smaller vehicles. Transporters are therefore reluctant to take that route,” he said.

Traders also pointed out that repeated traffic restrictions during the harvest season create uncertainty in the supply chain.

They said while temporary closures for emergency repairs may sometimes be unavoidable, advance planning and better coordination could minimise disruption to the horticulture sector.

The issue has also drawn the attention of political leaders, who have urged the administration to strike a balance between facilitating the Amarnath Yatra, undertaking highway maintenance and protecting the interests of the Valley’s horticulture industry.

Growers have called for the creation of a dedicated corridor or priority passage for fruit-laden trucks until the harvesting season concludes.

They also sought better coordination between traffic authorities, highway agencies, and district administrations to provide real-time updates on road conditions so that transporters can plan their journeys accordingly.

Srinagar, Jul 31: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam district in which a labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another was injured.

Describing the attack as a “cowardly and barbaric act”, Sharma said targeting innocent civilians and labourers was an assault on humanity and an attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack. Such acts of violence have no place in a civilised society and those responsible must be brought to justice at the earliest,” he said.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, Sharma prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and wished a speedy recovery to the injured labourer.

He urged the security forces to intensify anti-terror operations and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and punished. Sharma also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain united against terrorism and not allow such incidents to disrupt communal harmony and peace.

“The entire nation stands with the victim’s family in this hour of grief. I have full confidence that our security forces will take decisive action against those behind this dastardly attack,” Sharma said.

Srinagar, July 31: A non-local labourer was killed and another critically injured after terrorists opened fire on them in the Kilam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday evening, officials said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdi, told Greater Kashmir that terrorists targeted two non-local labourers in Kilam, leaving both of them critically injured.

The victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries. The other injured labourer is undergoing surgery, the IGP said.

Following the attack, security forces rushed to the area, cordoned off the locality, and launched a massive search operation to track down the assailants.

Srinagar, July 31: People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Friday launched a blistering attack on PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of trying to divert attention from her recent remarks and demanding that she issue an “unconditional apology.”

Addressing a press conference, Lone alleged that Mufti was attempting to shift the public discourse by targeting him and his party.

“My request to Mehbooba Mufti is: ‘Yeh kitna bhi drama karein… yeh munh band kar do.’ You have to offer an unconditional apology. This diversion will not work,” he said.

Lone’s remarks came a day after PDP leaders, including Iltija Mufti, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and Yasir Reshi, accused the People’s Conference of using the names of central investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to intimidate political rivals. The PDP had urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and clarify whether such claims had any official basis.

Referring to Mufti’s recent remarks, Lone said, “She called the children of Kashmir militants and justified pellet guns and firing. This is a diversion.”

Rejecting allegations that People’s Conference leaders were backed by government agencies, Lone said such claims undermined the entire political system in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Only one party in Kashmir keeps saying agencies are breaking it. Elsewhere in India, political parties do not make such claims every day,” he said.

Lone alleged that the PDP viewed every political defection through the prism of agencies because, according to him, “they believe every party is created by agencies.”

He contrasted the People’s Conference with the PDP, saying his party’s support base had remained intact despite political attacks.

“We are a 50-year-old party. Abuse us, call us BJP, our vote has increased, not decreased,” he said, claiming that the PDP’s vote share in north Kashmir had fallen from 36% in 2014 to about 2.5% in 2024.

Calling the PDP a party dependent on individuals rather than an organisation, Lone said, “You are a vote-less party. You are dependent on individuals. When individuals leave, the party collapses.”

Lone also questioned the logic behind accusations that agencies had persuaded politicians to join his party.

“If someone came to me at the behest of agencies, then when they returned to your party, did they not also go back at the behest of agencies?” he asked.

The People’s Conference chief accused Mehbooba Mufti of insulting political workers across Jammu and Kashmir.

“She is abusing our political system. She is abusing our political leaders. Is everybody on sale here?” he said.

Lone further alleged that the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had repeatedly tried to prevent his entry into mainstream politics, recounting episodes from 2009 and 2014 when, he claimed, efforts were made to stop him from contesting elections.

“He always tried to stop me. Despite all the power Mr Mufti used, I am here on my own,” Lone said.

Recalling his family’s experiences, Lone alleged that his father had been subjected to harsh treatment while in detention during Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure as Union home minister.
“My father was put in shackles. Are you the victim or am I?” he asked.

Lone rejected suggestions that he had threatened anyone or acted at the behest of government agencies.

“If there is any proof, bring it before the public. This drama must stop,” he said.

He announced that the People’s Conference would release a “white paper” on the PDP, covering events from the 1983 split in the National Conference, the 1987 elections, and subsequent political developments.

“We will bring a white paper on the PDP. Let them challenge me. If I am wrong, I will apologise,” Lone said.

Srinagar, July 31: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has presented a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in FIR No. 04/2025 against Ghulam Rasool Bhat, then Tehsildar, Qaziabad, Kralgund, District Kupwara, and a private individual, Rafi Ahmad Lone, in connection with a bribery trap case involving illegal gratification of Rs 1 lakh.

Officials said the case was registered on the basis of a complaint alleging demand of a bribe for issuance of permission to cut walnut trees for commercial purposes. Upon verification of the allegations, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered and investigation was initiated by Police Station ACB Baramulla.

During a trap laid on June 20, 2025, the accused public servant was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the balance bribe amount of ₹50,000 at Kralgund, Handwara. The tainted money was recovered in accordance with law, and both accused were arrested and subsequently released on bail by the Hon’ble Court.

Upon completion of the investigation and obtaining the requisite prosecution sanction from the competent authority, the chargesheet was filed before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination, officials added.