Men in plainclothes vandalised an apple orchard by cutting down dozens of fruit-bearing trees in Pulwama district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, causing heavy losses to a local farmer.
The incident occurred in the Sonsamil area of Pulwama, where 25 to 35 apple trees in an orchard belonging to Ghani Butt were cut down overnight. The affected family said the damage was discovered in the morning and termed it a deliberate act aimed at destroying their sole source of livelihood, making an apparent reference to the Indian army.
Family members said the orchard had been nurtured over years and the destruction of mature apple trees would have long-term economic consequences. They expressed concern over the growing trend of targeting Kashmiri farmers and orchards, which form the backbone of the territory’s fragile economy.
Residents of the area said such incidents have become frequent in recent years, creating fear and uncertainty among orchard owners. They maintained that horticulture, particularly apple cultivation, is the primary source of income for thousands of families in Kashmir, and any damage to orchards directly threatens their survival.
Observers say repeated acts of vandalism against apple orchards appear to be part of a wider pattern of economic strangulation of Kashmiris, aimed at weakening their self-reliance and pushing them into distress. They noted that despite tall claims of normalcy, farmers continue to face insecurity, lack of protection, and absence of accountability for such acts.
Locals demanded a transparent investigation into the incident and compensation for the affected family. However, they lamented that in most similar cases in the past, perpetrators were never identified, leaving victims without justice.
