Since the killing of apple-loaded truck drivers in Kashmir, drivers from other states have been avoiding going to Kashmir. In such a situation, apples coming from Jammu and Kashmir to Delhi mostly brought by Kashmiri drivers. The apples which used to reach other states earlier, also reaching the mandis of Delhi.
There is a drastic drop-in rate of Kashmiri Apples
Ram Baran, a member of the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board, said that the arrival of apples is increasing in Azadpur mandi this year. The reason for this is that truck drivers from other states are less accessible due to frequent attacks on drivers in Jammu and Kashmir.
In such a situation, drivers from Jammu and Kashmir are coming to Mandi with fruits and most of the vehicles are not coming to other states and coming to Delhi. This is the reason that inward is overpriced. In this case, the rates of apples are being sold in bulk from 40 to 80 rupees per kg.
More arrival of apples in Delhi
According to fruit sellers, the arrival of apples in Delhi is more than in other states. Apples have also become cheaper in Delhi due to increased arrivals. The NBT team interacted with the truck drivers coming from Jammu and Kashmir and inquired about the situation there.
4 truck driver killed in two weeks
Most of the local drivers of Jammu and Kashmir were found in Azadpur Mandi, who brought Delhi trucks from different areas there. These drivers said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is bad. Due to being Kashmiri, we come out in some way, but the drivers coming from other states are having trouble here.
After the killing of 4 drivers in the last two weeks, trucks coming from other states have reduced significantly.
Apples are less accessible in other states
In view of the situation, drivers from other states are not coming for apples. Only local drivers of Kashmir are reaching Delhi with apple trucks.
Therefore, the arrival of apples in Delhi is also increasing, but apples are reaching less in other states. 90 percent of the drivers are bringing vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir. Whereas last year many drivers from other states also reached Jammu and Kashmir carrying apples from their own trains and reached different states.
A truck driver on the target
Most apple drivers targeted. Ghulam Jilani, who came from Kashmir to Azadpur Mandi, said that since 1992, fruits are brought here, but this time due to the worsening situation in Kashmir, we are afraid to bring apples too. Many times the masked people stop the truck while carrying apples from Jammu and Kashmir. When they leave, then take the truck and go on the journey ahead.
Difficult to drive the truck after 8 pm
Saeed Aamir, a truck driver from Pulwama, said that in the daytime, the truck leaves easily, but after 8 pm, many masked trucks stop. If something happens against their will, they can also attack. Despite being a Kashmiri, there is a fear of leaving Kashmir, but once crossing the border of Kashmir, they consider themselves safe.
Driver’s problems increased
Rafiq Ahmad, who arrived at Azadpur Mandi with a truck from Sopore in LOC, said that the problems have increased for the drivers coming from outside in Jammu and Kashmir. Driver companions coming from other states are now coming less in Jammu and Kashmir.