Srinagar, Apr 20: The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has strongly reiterated its demand for a comprehensive crop insurance scheme in Kashmir to avoid repeated and devastating losses to the horticulture sector, following the recent hailstorm that wreaked havoc across the valley.
AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi in a statement issued here said, “The latest hailstorm has once again exposed how vulnerable our orchardists are. From Kupwara to Shopian, marginal growers have suffered massive losses. This cannot go on — the government must implement a robust crop insurance scheme now to protect growers from future disasters.”
Inam added, “Every hailstorm crushes the year-long toil of farmers and sends shockwaves through the entire horticulture economy. Crop insurance is not a luxury — it is an absolute necessity if the government is serious about safeguarding livelihoods.”
The Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and orchardists across Kupwara, Handwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Sopore, Tangmarg, Pattan, Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama and other areas have reported significant losses after the hailstorm, which covered orchards in a layer of ice and caused widespread damage, the AIP spokesperson said.
He also expressed deep sorrow over the flash floods in Dharam Kund, Ramban, where more than 40 houses were damaged and over 100 villagers rescued. “We salute the rescue teams for their swift action. The government must now ensure immediate ex-gratia compensation and provide dignified rehabilitation to the affected families,” he said.
Meanwhile, AIP senior leader and MLA Langate, Sheikh Khursheed toured several rain-affected areas in his constituency to assess damages on the ground. AIP general secretary Prince Parveez visited Saderkoot Payeen, Bandipora, where two houses were destroyed in a fire, assuring full support and urging the administration to extend urgent assistance to the affected families.
