Meagre compensation for hailstorm-hit farmers in Shopian sparks outrage
‘Rs 1000 is an insult, not Relief’, say orchardists
Shopian: Farmers in the hailstorm-hit villages of Shopian, including Nagbal and Chitragam hamlets and it’s adjoining areas, have expressed anger and frustration after receiving what they describe as ‘insultingly low’ compensation amounts ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 for the massive damage inflicted on their apple and cherry orchards.
Locals from these areas said that despite the visit of Horticulture Minister Javid Dar to assess the situation, the relief announced has left the farming community feeling abandoned and betrayed.
“This amount is like rubbing salt on our wounds,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a fruit grower from Nagbal.
“Our apples were almost ready to be picked. The hailstorm shattered our crop, and now the government has shattered our hopes.”
Many farmers shared similar sentiments, pointing out that the damages run into lakhs, especially in areas which are solely dependent on fruit cultivation.
“The Ra 1000 compensation doesn’t even cover the fuel cost of spraying medicines or cleaning up the damaged orchards. it’s a mockery,” said Ghulam Nabi, another orchardist.
Former MLA and DDC member from Zainapora, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, strongly condemned the meagre assistance and urged the administration to take the matter seriously.
“This is not compensation; it’s humiliation,” Mir said. “The government must conduct a fresh and detailed survey to assess the real extent of losses and offer fair, adequate compensation. Farmers are the backbone of our economy — their pain cannot be healed by tokenism.”
Local growers also criticized the lack of transparency in the distribution process and demanded that insurance schemes and disaster funds be streamlined to support farmers during calamities.
With erratic weather patterns increasingly affecting south Kashmir’s fruit bowl, the affected communities are now calling for long-term planning, crop insurance mechanisms, and immediate relief that reflects the reality on the ground.
“We don’t want charity. We want justice for our hard work and losses,” said Shakeela Bano, a woman farmer from Chitragam.
“The government must wake up before it’s too late,” he added.
The farmers have appealed to LG Manoj Sinha and higher officials in the horticulture and revenue departments to intervene and ensure that genuine losses are neither downplayed nor ignored.
