Crime
Apple trees chopped down mysteriously in South Kashmir again, orchardists worried
Anantnag: Unidentified persons on Wednesday chopped the branches of over three dozen apple trees in Mattan area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, sending shock waves among orchardists of the area.
A police official while talking to Free Press Kashmir said that a man identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Padder, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin of Khaniwari Mattan submitted an application at police station Mattan, claiming that unknown persons have cut down the branches of the apple trees in his orchard located in a nearby locality Ramhall.
“Miscreants have caused the damage to at least 40 fruit-bearing trees,” the officer from Police station Mattan told FPK.
In this regard, police have registered a case under FIR number 70/2020, under section 447, 436A, and further investigations are in progress.
A local orchardist from Akura told FPK that ever since the incident reported from his area they live in a fear.
“Whosoever is doing this should be punished so that it cannot be repeated hereafter,” the orchardist said.
A month ago, similar incidents were reported from Dochnipora areas – Bijbehara and Mehand.
Apart from the huge economic loss, the owners say it will take them 10 more years for an apple tree to grow and be fruitful to them.
Locals say the no one in the villages dares to go out during the night, because of the tense situation in the region, and these incidents have left them worrying.
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