Fruit traders stage protest in Sopore, demanding ban on Iranian apples
Sopore: Scores of fruit traders at Asia’s second largest fruit mandi here in apple town Sopore on Friday staged a protest seeking ban on illegal sale of Iranian apples in various markets across India.
While shouting slogans, the protesting fruit traders said that their trade suffered badly since last one month as Iranian apples are illegally and freely sold in various markets.
President Fruit Buyers Union Sopore, Mudasir Ahmad expressed his dismay over illegal sale of Iranian apple seeking an immediate ban on their sale.
“Our fruit market has suffered a lot since past one month due to illegal sale of Iranian apple that comes through Wagah border. These apples are being labeled as Afghan apples and being sold in markets,” he said.
He said that Iranian apple is being sold without tax being charged and the buyers are buying them at Rs 40 per kilogram while as apples from Kashmir are being sole at higher rates and consumers are avoiding them,” he added.
He further said that they have requested the government many times but nothing has been done on this issue.
“We once again request the government to save the apple trade in Kashmir as it serves as a backbone of our economy,” Mudasir added.
“This industry is already suffering from past couple of years due to uncertain situation in Valley as well as covid-19. The illegal sale of Iranian apple will lead us to disaster,” Firdous Ahmad Dar, another fruit trader said.
Bilal Ahmad
