Fruit growers opting for alternate means to ship fruit crop
Shopian: Panic has gripped Southern Kashmir after unknown gunmen killed a non -local truck driver in Sindu Shermal, Shopian area of south Kashmir.
Meanwhile, at least 15 persons were detained by police for questioning in connection with the truck driver’s killing case, a police official said.
According to wire news service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the incident took place at around 07:15 Pm on Monday, when the fruit laden truck came into attack by unknown gunmen leaving the driver dead and fruit laden truck in flames.
The driver was immediately rushed to the local hospital where he was declared dead. The deceased was identified as Shareef ud din Khan from Rajasthan, India. Soon after the gruesome incident security forces launched cordon and search operation in entire area which lasted throughout the night.
The incident has created a sense of fear among the fruits growers of South Kashmir and adjoining areas, whereas few of the non-local truckers were seen leaving the area of South Kashmir without any loads. The situation right after the killing of trucker in south Kashmir have gone completely unpredictable, say residents.
Anand Mahajan, a truck driver from Kota, Rajasthan told KNO, “I am leaving Kashmir for now after the killing of our fellow driver as no job is more important than our life.”
He said that they have been roaming in south Kashmir from last one week in order to get their trucks loaded but now after Monday night’s incident they are afraid now. He further added, “We have our families back at our home who are deeply concerned about our safety during our stay in Kashmir.”
“The situation is alarming as we are being targeted for transporting our yield across India as if we are doing something illegal.” Zeeshan Ahmad (name changed), a fruit grower from Shopian,
He said that they have to supply the fruits as they have received the advance payment of fruits before Aug 5, when the special status was abrogated. He further added that,” We aren’t doing something wrong or illegal for which we are being targeted, even we are transporting our goods during the night hours and it’s unfortunate we are still being targeted by the nefarious elements.” (KNO)
