The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — With the political situation in Bangladesh showing signs of stabilisation, Kashmir's fruit industry has cautiously resumed its apple exports to the country, particularly the American Apple variety.

The development comes after weeks of uncertainty when unrest in Bangladesh had severely impacted trade, leading to concerns among Kashmiri fruit growers and dealers.

Speaking with the news agency KNO, Shahid Choudhary, a senior member of the fruit growers body in Kashmir said the resumption of apple exports to Bangladesh is a much-needed respite not only for him but for all the growers who work entire year to ensure a quality produce for foreign markets.

“It is a much-needed relief for both dealers and growers. The recent unrest in Bangladesh created uncertainty among all of us. We were unsure of any orders this year,” he said.

Choudhary said the fresh resumption of the apple export trade was a welcome development and has spread happiness among the growers and dealers.

Bashir Ahmad Bashir, the president of the apex fruit body representing Kashmir's fruit growers, said that in recent days, shipments of the American Apple varieties have started reaching Bangladeshi markets.

He, however, noted that while the export market has not yet fully recovered, there was optimism among growers. "We are hopeful that in the coming days, the volume of orders from Bangladeshi buyers will increase," Bashir said.

Notably, during the harvest season in Kashmir, several apple traders from Bangladesh camp in Kashmir to buy and meet the demand for Kashmiri apples in their homeland.

According to Choudhary, Bangladesh is an important market for varieties of apples from Kashmir, especially American Apples.

"We export over 70 percent American Apple variety produce to Bangladeshi markets," he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that after the Union finance ministry ordered the lifting of additional duties on apples, almonds, chickpeas and walnuts in September last year, the Kashmir apple industry is facing an unprecedented crisis and grappling with low demand due to the influx of foreign apples in the Indian markets.

Several mainstream politicians in the region have urged the government to reconsider the decision, saying it impacts the growers in Kashmir.

As apple revenue has been one of the key GDP contributors in J&K, fruit dealers have been urging the government for a long time to slash the export duty on apples, so that they can export the fruit to various countries.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) here on Monday said that all Kashmiri students stranded in Bangladesh amid violence have started returning to their native places and are safe.

In a statement, the National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is facilitating the process with the Border Security Force (BSF), providing food, refreshments, water, and other assistance at border check posts. Out of over 3,500 students, around 200 have reached Kashmir so far.

"The association is in constant touch with the MEA, ensuring the safe return of our students from Bangladesh. They returned through the Akhaura ICP and Benapole, entering India through the Srimantapur ICP and Haridaspur ICP, respectively," he said.

"Medical camps have been set up to address any health concerns of the returning students. We thank the MEA and BSF for their efforts and for prioritizing the safety of our students. The coordinated efforts ensured their safe return, providing significant relief to both students and their families back in Kashmir," he emphasized.

"We hope the MEA will take more concrete steps, in coordination with the concerned Indian embassy in Bangladesh and the local government, to evacuate the remaining stranded students so that both students and their distressed parents will get the relief they need," he asserted.

Khuehami added that Kashmiri student Hadiya Rafiq, who was in distress after her passport was stolen in Bangladesh and was denied entry at Petrapol, Kolkata border, was allowed to cross safely and reached her native place in Budgam, Srinagar after the JKSA raised her matter with the MEA.

"The MEA's timely assistance not only brought her home safely but also reassured many other students and their families," he added.

JAMMU — Jammu Police intercepted a human trafficking attempt, rescuing two Bangladeshi girls and apprehending an individual suspected of being involved in the illicit activity.

According to reliable sources cited by a local news agency, the police, upon receiving information, swiftly moved to rescue the girls. The identity of the girls is being withheld for their protection.

Authorities identified one suspect as Nishith Biswas, hailing from West Bengal, who was apprehended accompanying the girls during the rescue operation.

The police took immediate action upon receiving information regarding a potential human trafficking case. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under sections 366A/370/370A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

An official familiar with the matter stated that the investigation into the case has been assigned to the Senior Deputy Police Officer (SDPO) of City North Jammu.

JAMMU — A significant crackdown unfolded as law enforcement agencies in Doda and Poonch districts took action against individuals involved in illegally procuring Indian identity documents. In separate incidents, a total of 14 individuals, including Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals, were apprehended for obtaining forged documents and violating visa norms.

Doda district witnessed a stern response from authorities as 10 Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals, along with their facilitators, were booked for unlawfully acquiring Indian identity documents. Doda Police, in a proactive move, registered three FIRs against these foreign nationals and their accomplices for obtaining documents like Domicile Certificates, Aadhaar Cards, Ration Cards, Voter ID Cards, and PAN Cards, allowing them to illegally stay within the district.

Detailed investigations led to the filing of cases against individuals involved in these activities. Notable among those booked were Raheela Begum, Shakeela Begum, Jahan Ara, Meem Bano, Muskan Banoo, Zavaira Begum, Shabnam Begum, Noor Bhat, Zeenat Begum, and Nusrat Jahan, who managed to procure Indian identity documents misrepresenting themselves as permanent residents of District Doda.

Simultaneously, in Poonch district's Dharglon area, law enforcement officials arrested four individuals, including a Rohingya national named Mohd Numaan, for their involvement in a conspiracy related to forged identity documents. Mohd Numaan, who had been residing in Dharglon since 2013 and had even married a local resident, was among those arrested for his role in forging Aadhaar and Ration cards.

The arrestees in Poonch, identified as Mohd Numaan, Muhib Ullah, Nazir Ahmed, Waseem Akram, and Mohd Sayaf, were involved in preparing fraudulent documents, triggering the registration of a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

While Mohd Numaan remains in judicial custody, authorities continue their investigations into both cases. The police have stressed the need to identify facilitators and any government employees involved in providing support to these foreign nationals in obtaining Indian documents, underlining the gravity of the situation.

PULWAMA — In a significant breakthrough, the police in Pulwama successfully solved an ATM theft case by apprehending three accused individuals involved in the crime. The residents of Bangladesh were taken into custody, and the stolen property was recovered from their possession.

The incident took place on April 8, 2023, when unidentified burglars stole an ATM machine near Govt. Degree College Pulwama. In response, the Pulwama Police registered a case (FIR No. 78/2023) under relevant sections of the law at PS Pulwama, initiating a thorough investigation.

Acknowledging the severity of the crime, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of SSP Pulwama, headed by Addl.SP Pulwama, to expedite the investigation. Through meticulous examination of digital data evidence and careful scrutiny of circumstantial clues, the police team successfully identified a group of international thieves from Bangladesh, who had previously committed similar crimes. Subsequently, the suspects were apprehended.

The three accused, including the alleged mastermind, have been identified as Suman Mal, son of Jainal, a resident of Rajapur Police Station Raainda Bangladesh; Farooq Ahmad Ali, son of Ahmad Ali, a resident of Razwair Police station Rainda, Bangladesh; and Mohd Ibrahim, son of Mohd Muslim, a resident of Bangla Bazar Police Station Sharun Khola Bangladesh.

During the investigation, the accused individuals confessed to their involvement in the crime. Based on their disclosures, the stolen ATM machine was recovered from an orchard, where it had been concealed in a pit at Dogam Kakapora.

Further inquiry into the case unveiled that the gang of burglars had committed similar ATM thefts in other locations in previous years. It was also revealed that the gang had commenced its operations in South Kashmir earlier this year, with an ATM theft reported in Pampore.

The investigation into the case is ongoing, and authorities anticipate more arrests in connection with the incident.

The general public has applauded the efforts of the police in cracking this mysterious case. The unwavering actions of the police serve as a reassurance to community members that the authorities are determined to take strict action against individuals involved in any form of criminal activities.

SRINAGAR — A Kashmiri girl student from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district died in Bangladesh where she was pursuing MBBS. Her family has appealed to authorities to help get her body back home.

The girl, identified as Khushboo Manzoor daughter of Manzoor Ahmad of Katoo area of Bijbehara, was pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at a medical college in Bangladesh.

Family sources confirmed that Khushboo fell off her hostel building of the college on Tuesday, following which she was in ICU, however, succumbed to her injuries today.

Meanwhile, the family appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and LG administration to help them to bring the student's body back for the last rites.

"The family was unable to reach Bangladesh as the family members do not have adequate documents to travel to Bangladesh," a relative of the deceased told CNS.