Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, farmers and orchardists in Shopian and Pulwama districts have strongly opposed the proposed Kakapora-Shopian railway line, saying the project will destroy fertile agricultural land and centuries-old apple orchards, pushing thousands of families towards economic ruin.

According to media reports, scenes of anguish and resistance were witnessed as farmers, including elderly men and women, gathered in orchards where railway authorities have begun fresh land demarcation. Viral videos circulating on social media show tearful orchardists standing beside newly installed iron poles, fearing that the proposed railway alignment will swallow their only source of livelihood.

The proposed rail track is set to pass through more than 30 villages between Kakapora in Pulwama district and Shopian, an area renowned for high-density apple orchards that sustain thousands of households. Over the past few weeks, railway teams have intensified demarcation by planting 2.5-foot iron poles across productive farmland, signalling the start of land acquisition.