The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) has announced a peaceful sit-in protest to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11 AM at Press Colony in support of Kashmir's fruit growers. AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the protest is being organised to demand the smooth passage of apple-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which continues to face blockades.
"The government cannot remain a silent spectator while the year's hard work of lakhs of orchardists rots on the roads. If immediate steps are not taken to ensure unhindered passage of trucks, it will amount to an economic assault on our people," he said. Appreciating the start of the parcel train service, he added that immediate restoration of the highway for stranded apple-laden vehicles is the urgent need of the hour.
As the highway remains blocked, leaving thousands of apple-laden trucks stalled in parking lots or stranded along the route, the Apni Party on Monday also urged the administration to take immediate measures to ensure that fruit reaches markets across the country before the produce spoils. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Apni Party General Secretary and former legislator Rafi Ahmad Mir suggested adding more bogies to the recently launched parcel train to transport apples from Kashmir to Delhi.
Mir, accompanied by party Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, and other senior leaders, said the parcel train should reach every district in the valley to facilitate loading and ensure smooth transportation. He also urged the administration to make the Mughal Road ready for fruit shipments.
Mir said, "Jammu and Kashmir has already been grappling with heavy economic losses. We have faced several setbacks to our economy, especially since the horrific terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, which severely damaged this year's tourism. After that, we witnessed great chaos during and after Operation Sindoor. As if all this were not enough, we recently faced incidents of natural calamities, including cloudbursts and floods, particularly in the Jammu region. All these situations have ruined and severely impacted our economy, and now our horticulture industry is at stake, as perishable fruits are spoiling due to the highway remaining continuously blocked following the recent floods."
He added, "We appreciate the launch of the cargo parcel train from the valley to Delhi for the transportation of fruit, but more bogies need to be added to it. This train should also reach every part of the valley to ensure smooth loading and transportation. Simultaneously, the authorities must ensure that the Mughal Road is immediately prepared for fruit-laden trucks."
Replying to a question, Mir said, "The PSA should not have been invoked against MLA Meraj Malik." He added that the elected government must take steps to ensure the release of the detainees and review the PSA cases.
Source: Rising Kashmir 1
Source: Rising Kashmir 2