Srinagar, Oct 14: After facing over a month of sluggish demand and falling prices, apple growers in Kashmir are finally witnessing some relief as rates have started to climb.

According to traders and farmers, the demand for Kashmiri apples has improved over the past week, pushing prices up by nearly 30 per cent.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, said the turnaround has brought a glimmer of hope to the community after weeks of distress.

“The rates have started going up as demand has increased in various markets outside Kashmir. We expect prices to improve further in the coming days, which could help growers recover at least part of the losses they suffered earlier,” he said.

Basheer added that the government’s “indifference” towards the crisis faced by orchardists has deepened their financial woes.

“A majority of the growers have already suffered heavy losses this season due to low demand, poor rates, highway closure, freight rise and other issues. Unfortunately, the government has so far failed to provide any compensation or relief,” he said.

Local farmers echoed similar concerns, expressing cautious optimism about the current rise in rates but warning that recovery may still take time.

Abdul Rashid, an apple grower from Shopian, said that the last month was “one of the worst” in recent years.

“We were forced to sell apples at throwaway prices. The rates were so low that they didn’t even cover transport and packaging costs. Now, with the demand improving, we are hopeful the next few weeks will be better,” he said.

Another grower, Mohammad Yousuf from Sopore, said many farmers had to delay sales in the hope of better prices. “Those who stored their apples are now in a better position as the market has started responding. If the demand continues to rise, it could bring some relief to us,” he said.

Traders in the other fruit mandis also confirmed an uptick in market activity. They said demand from many Indian states has improved slightly due to festive season needs, leading to higher prices for A- and B-grade apples.

Experts believe the next few weeks will be crucial for the fruit market, as consistent demand could stabilise rates and help offset the losses growers incurred earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, farmers have reiterated their appeal to the government for compensation and support, saying the horticulture sector—one of the backbones of Kashmir’s economy—needs urgent attention to prevent long-term distress.

Budgam, Oct 14: Continuing its sustained drive against illegal mining, Budgam Police has intensified action across the district to curb unlawful excavation and transportation of minerals.

An official said that during the first fortnight of October 2025, police teams under the supervision of senior officers registered 12 FIRs, arrested 15 persons, and seized 53 vehicles, including 29 tippers/dumpers, 21 tractors, 2 JCBs, and 1 L&T machine, from various areas such as Khansahib, Beerwah, Narbal, Magam, Hardupanzo, Budgam, Waterhail, and Chadoora.

In coordination with the Department of Geology and Mining, fines amounting to several thousand rupees were imposed on the violators, official said.

Budgam Police reaffirmed its commitment to take stern action against illegal mining, which causes environmental damage and depletes public resources. They also urged citizens to cooperate and report any such activities to the police, and assured the identity of informants will be kept confidential.

Srinagar, Oct 14: Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested three drug peddlers in Awantipora & Budgam and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

Police in a statement said that in Awantipora, a police party headed by SHO Police Station Pampore at a checkpoint established at Tulbagh Pampore, intercepted two suspicious persons. They have been identified as Tabish Rafiq Bhat son of Mohammad Rafiq Bhat resident of Namblabal Pampore and Tariq Ahmad Sheikh son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh resident of Tulbagh Pampore. During search, officers were able to recover 80 grams of Charas Powder like substance from their possession. They have been arrested and a case vide FIR No. 104/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Pampore and investigation has been initiated.

In Budgam, Police Station Beerwah received credible information that Shabir Ahmad Sofi, son of Gulzar Ahmad Sofi, resident of Arwah, Beerwah, was involved in drug peddling and had stored a large quantity of narcotic substance at his residence for illegal sale among local youth. Acting swiftly, a police party led by SHO PS Beerwah, along with the Executive Magistrate Beerwah, conducted a raid at the suspect’s house. During the search, a narcotic-like substance (Ganja) weighing approximately 21.644 kilograms was recovered. The accused was arrested on the spot and a case FIR No. 146/2025 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Beerwah, and further investigation is underway, police said.

Police urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any instances of drug peddling or other criminal activities to the nearest police station or by dialling 112.

Srinagar, Oct 14: Continuing its crackdown against elements affiliated with the proscribed organisations Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) and Hurriyat (G), both banned under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Shopian Police today conducted searches at multiple locations in connection with various FIRs.

An official said that searches were conducted at the residences of Ab. Latief Dar S/o Ab. Gani Dar R/o Dar Mohalla Zawoora, who has remained affiliated with Hurriyat (G), in connection with FIR No. 09/2024 registered at Police Station Shopian; Bilal Ahmad Itoo S/o Gh. Rasool R/o Chitragam, who has remained affiliated with LeT, in connection with FIR Nos. 98/2021 & 03/2024 registered at Police Station Zainapora; and Ghulam Mohd Dar S/o Asadullah R/o Check Sangran, who has remained affiliated with Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI), in connection with FIR No. 336/1997 registered at Police Station Shopian.

He said that these searches form part of ongoing investigations aimed at dismantling the support networks and ecosystem of the banned organisations.

The official highlighted that the operations were conducted after obtaining due legal sanction, with the objective of uncovering any incriminating material, documents, electronic devices, or other evidence indicating continued unlawful activities or association with the proscribed outfits.

Shopian police reiterates its firm resolve to act against individuals involved in supporting or propagating the ideology of banned organizations and remains committed to maintaining peace, security and the rule of law in the district, official added.

Srinagar, Oct 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the agriculture sector in Jammu and Kashmir holds immense potential and requires focused attention towards value addition to unlock full gamut of business opportunities across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) held in Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by FICCI President Harsh Vardhan Agarwal, Senior Vice President Anant Goenka, Director General FICCI Jyoti Vij, Past President Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairman FICCI J&K Council Mushtaq A. Burza, and members of the National Executive Council.

Highlighting the immense potential of the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister said that most of the produce from Jammu and Kashmir leaves the region in its raw form, with very little processing or value addition being done locally.

“This opens significant opportunities for industrial growth, both on Jammu side and Kashmir’s side,” he stated.

Citing the dairy sector as an example, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that only about 4–5 percent of the J&K’s dairy production is processed within Jammu & Kashmir, while the rest goes unprocessed into the market. He urged industry leaders to explore these areas for investment and growth.

Referring to the broader economic scenario, the Chief Minister said that the J&K has faced challenges due to recent natural calamities and the downturn in tourism following the Pahalgam incident, but the administration remains optimistic about revival across sectors.

“This is not a story of pessimism but of hope and optimism. We are working hard with all stakeholders to put the economy back on track,” he said.

The Chief Minister informed that the government is simultaneously engaging with domestic and international tourism partners to attract visitors and revive the sector. “Jammu and Kashmir has always been the country’s premier destination and we are determined to sustain that legacy,” he added.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also outlined the areas where the government is focusing on sustainable and competitive industrial growth, including agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packaging and cement. He said that new road-connectivity projects such as the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway will further enhance logistics and investment potential.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business, the Chief Minister invited FICCI’s inputs on policy reforms to make J&K more investor-friendly.

“We are keen to learn from best practices across the country. Reforms will be guided by feedback from the industry itself,” he said.

The Chief Minister also called upon the corporate sector to support Jammu and Kashmir through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in youth-centric areas such as sports infrastructure, libraries and skill upgradation. He urged companies to partner with the government in upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and skill centres to create an employable local workforce.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the strong partnership between Jammu and Kashmir and FICCI and expressed hope that renewed engagement will yield tangible results for J&K’s economic growth.
“This is a long-standing relationship and today’s meeting marks another step towards strengthening cooperation and building new opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.