KFGA wants to export fruit to PoK due to Jammu blockade

Srinagar, Aug 3 (UNI) The Kashmir Fruit Growers Association (KFGA) has threatened to export fruit to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) tomorrow as it is unable to reach out to different mandis across the country owing to road blockade due to the Shri Amarnath Shrine row.

The association is scheduled to implement its threat to export fruit through Jhelum valley road to Muzaffarabad tomorrow, an official spokesman today said, adding that all the trucks carrying fruits crossed Lakhanpore, the last point on Jammu&Kashmir border.

The spokesman said the Srinagar-Jammu-Lakhanpore highway was through.

The KFGA said that due to blockade of the highway, it could not export fruit to different mandis across the country.

Alleging that the government has failed to defuse the Shri Amarnath Shrine land row, the association said fruits worth crores of rupees were damaged due to continuous blockade.

The KFGA demanded full compensation against the loss the fruit industry has suffered due to the road blockade.

It has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to allow them to move towards Muzaffarabad.

The association, after a day long meeting at apple township of Soppore yesterday, said it has given an ultimatum to the government to provide safe passage to the fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir.

The spokesman said the association would appeal to authorities in Pakistan to use Rawlakote Road for trade with different Indian states.

UNI BAS SKB KN1645