The cutting down of around 500 high-density apple plants by unidentified men in plainclothes in south Kashmir's Kulgam district has sparked serious concerns among locals and horticulture stakeholders, who view the incident as a deliberate attempt to damage the economic backbone of the people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. 

According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred in Hatipora area of Behibagh, where hundreds of apple plants in a modern high-density orchard were cut and uprooted, causing losses estimated at over Rs 2.5 million. The orchard, developed under an advanced cultivation model to improve productivity and income, represented years of investment and hard work by the grower. 

The incident comes at a time when Indian police and agencies have intensified drills and deployments across south Kashmir ahead of the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra. On the same day, Police conducted a large-scale mock drill in Bijbehara to assess operational preparedness and emergency response mechanisms.  Residents and local orchardists condemned the destruction of the plantation, describing it as a direct assault on the livelihood of a Kashmiri family and a worrying development for the horticulture sector, which supports thousands of households across the territory.

They demanded a transparent investigation to identify those responsible and ensure accountability.  Political observers and civil society members noted that Kashmir's economy has repeatedly suffered due to conflict-related disruptions, restrictions and incidents targeting local businesses and agricultural assets. They stressed that the latest act of vandalism has created anxiety among orchard owners who depend on horticulture as their primary source of income. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)