Srinagar, Sep 03: Expressing grief and sorrow over the losses suffered by fruit growers and farmers due to the recent hailstorm in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Kulgam districts, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urged the administration to initiate a thorough assessment of the crop losses to provide adequate compensation to those affected.
He promised that if the Apni Party secures a public mandate in the upcoming assembly polls, it will introduce a special compensation package for the orchardists and farmers who suffered significant losses due to the gusty winds and hailstorms.
The recent heavy rains, hailstorms and gusty winds have caused significant damage to fruit and other agricultural crops in the Shopian and Kulgam districts. According to reports, the worst-hit villages in Shopian are Wachi, Kapran, Rawalpora, Kachdora, Kachdora Check, Vehil, Zaipora, and Reshnagri, while as in Kulgam most affected villages include Pombay, Arreh, Kadder, Qazigund and adjoining areas.
In a statement issued here, Altaf Bukhari said, “I am deeply saddened to learn that an intense hailstorm has caused extensive damage to apple crops in various villages across Shopian and Kulgam districts. I urge the administration to deploy official teams to the affected areas to assess the losses so that the victims can be adequately compensated.”
“In these challenging times, the Apni Party stands in solidarity with the victims, and I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned to secure fair compensation for them,” he said.
