Srinagar: After a brief illness, the former separatist leader, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat died on Wednesday at his Sopore residence.

According to the family, Bhat breathed his last today after a brief illness at his residence in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

According to KNO, the announcement regarding the conduct of last rites including the funeral will be made shortly by the family.

Several political leaders including the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over his demise.

In a post on X, Omar Abdullah wrote, “I’m saddened to hear about the demise of senior Kashmiri political leader & academician Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Sb. Our political ideologies were poles apart but I will always remember him as a very civil person. He had the courage to espouse the cause of dialogue when many believed violence was the only way forward and this resulted in him meeting the then PM Vajpayee ji & Deputy PM Advani ji. May Professor Bhat sb find place in Jannat. My condolences to his family & loved ones.”

Head Cleric of Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a post, wrote, “Just heard the very sad news that I lost the affectionate elder, a dear friend and colleague, Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat Sahib, who passed away sometime ago. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. A huge personal loss! May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah. Kashmir has been bereft of a sincere and visionary leader.”

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former J&K chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti wrote, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Abdul Gani Bhat sb. He was a voice of moderation amidst the tumultuous history of Kashmir an esteemed scholar, teacher, and intellectual with a pragmatic approach to politics. A strong advocate for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, his influence was profound.”

“On a personal note, he always showed me great affection, and I turned to him for solace during difficult times. Despite differing political views, he remained a close and respected friend of Mufti Saheb, and together, peace and reconciliation were the core of their political campaigns. May his soul rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire,” she wrote.

Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, wrote, “Heartfelt condolences to the family of Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat sahib who passed away. Fondly remembered as Professor sahib. He was a literary figure too apart from politics. He was a colleague of my late father. And I have had long conversations with him. May Allah grant him Jannat.”

MLA Kulgam and CPI (M) leader, M Y Tarigami, wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat. I have known him for long. He was an eminent figure in J & K’s political landscape, remembered for his humility, intellect, and lifelong struggle for the welfare of people. His loss leaves a void that will be deeply felt.”

Apni Party President and former minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari, wrote, “Just received the heartbreaking news of the passing of Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat Sahib. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. This is a personal loss for me, and today my heart grieves the departure of someone whose absence can never be replaced.”

“Professor Sahib, a close friend and classmate of my late father, held a special place in my heart. I always admired him and drew inspiration from his sharp wit and impeccable wisdom. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal peace and the highest place in Jannah. Though I am away from the valley and cannot be with the grieving family in person, my thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support are with them. May Allah grant them the strength to endure this profound and irreplaceable loss,” he wrote. (KNO)

Srinagar: In a devastating blow to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, several apple-laden trucks returned from Qazigund and other areas after being stranded for more than eight days due to the prolonged closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

By the time the trucks were allowed to move back, the entire produce inside had rotted, leaving growers in tears and traders staring at heavy financial losses.

The incident has once again highlighted the catastrophic impact of the frequent highway blockades during the peak fruit season. For many growers, this year’s harvest has already turned into a nightmare.

“It was a heart-wrenching scene when I opened my truck after eight days. All the apple boxes were rotten. I had borrowed money for fertilisers and packaging, hoping to recover it from sales. Now I am ruined,” Ghulam Nabi, an orchardist from Shopian, told KNO.

The national highway, Kashmir’s only all-weather road link to the outside world, has remained shut for much of the past three weeks following landslides and shooting stones triggered by incessant rains. Although the administration had promised a smooth passage to perishable fruit-laden trucks, many were left stranded at Qazigund, unable to move forward.

“We waited day and night at Qazigund, hoping the road would open, but no turn came for us. After eight days, we had no choice but to return. The apples had turned into pulp. Who will compensate us?” asked Bashir Ahmad, a grower from Pulwama.

Growers said the repeated highway disruptions have made their livelihoods unsustainable. They added that every delay translates into enormous financial setbacks since apples are highly perishable and require timely transportation to outside mandis.

“Every year, we are told that the government is working on alternatives, but when such crises hit, we are left helpless. Our entire economy is crumbling. If this continues, the horticulture sector, which supports lakhs of families, will collapse,” said Muhammad Yousuf, a trader at Fruit Mandi Shopian.

The fruit industry, considered the backbone of Kashmir’s rural economy, contributes thousands of crores annually. But this season’s continuous blockades, combined with the lack of transportation facilities, have led to unprecedented losses.

“What is more painful is that this destruction was preventable. Why did the government fail to ensure the timely clearance of the highway for fruit trucks? Why are growers always left to suffer silently?” asked Abdul Rashid, another farmer from Kulgam.

As the losses mount, growers and traders are demanding immediate intervention from the government, including adequate compensation, improved traffic management, a cap on freight rates and the development of alternate routes to ensure that Kashmir’s produce reaches markets on time. (KNO)

Srinagar: With the frequent closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway leaving fruit growers in a state of despair, an unusual scene is unfolding: dumpers, usually meant for construction material, are now being used to transport apple boxes to outside markets.

On Tuesday, fruit growers were seen loading dumpers with apples at the fruit mandi in Shopian to take their fruits to outside Kashmir markets.

Speaking to KNO, growers said the decision comes in the backdrop of an acute shortage of transport vehicles.

With the authorities allowing only six-tyre trucks on the Mughal Road, the demand for vehicles has skyrocketed, pushing freight charges beyond the reach of many small farmers.

“At this critical time, we have no option left. Dumpers, which are generally used for sand and gravel, are now ferrying our fruit to Jammu. It is unsafe and unscientific, but we can’t afford to let the produce rot in orchards or mandis,” said Ghulam Nabi, an orchardist from Shopian.

Another grower, Bashir Ahmad from Pulwama, expressed anguish over the rising freight rates. “The transport shortage has become a nightmare. The rates have tripled, and we are being forced to pay whatever the transporters demand. If the government doesn’t intervene, we will face huge losses.”

Growers have urged the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the crisis on an urgent basis. They appealed for the immediate deployment of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (RTC) trucks to ferry apple consignments.

“RTC vehicles can provide major relief to us. Their deployment will not only ease the pressure but also help put a cap on skyrocketing freight charges,” said Abdul Rashid, a trader at Fruit Mandi Shopian.

Fruit associations have also raised concerns about the safety of produce being loaded in dumpers. “Apples are delicate, and such rough transportation damages the boxes and reduces market value. The government must step in and provide a proper transport mechanism before it is too late,” said Farooq Ahmad, a member of the fruit association in south Kashmir.

With Kashmir’s horticulture sector reeling under the impact of prolonged highway closure, growers warn that if immediate steps are not taken, the Valley’s apple economy—supporting lakhs of families—will face devastating losses this season, and it has faced a loss of hundreds of crores. (KNO)