Farmer Alleges Acid Attack on Orchard Over Land Dispute in Kulgam, Says Apple Trees Destroyed After Tehsildar’s Ruling Favoured Him

Kulgam, May 22: A farmer from Kolapora village in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district has alleged that his apple orchard was deliberately destroyed with acid and chemicals following a land dispute verdict that went in his favour.

Muhammad Ahsan Teli, the orchard owner, accused his neighbour of targeting his trees in retaliation after the local Tehsildar ruled in his favour in a long-standing property dispute. “The decision came just yesterday. By midnight, my orchard was ruined,” Teli told CNS, visibly distressed.

He claimed that unknown persons entered his orchard during the night and poured acid and harmful chemicals on dozens of apple trees, leaving them scorched and lifeless. “The trees were healthy and in bloom. Now they’re completely burned. Years of hard work have been wiped out,” he said.

Teli said he suspects his neighbour, with whom he had the land conflict, of being behind the attack. “He couldn’t accept the Tehsildar’s ruling, so he took revenge by destroying my livelihood,” he alleged.

Appealing to the district administration and police, the farmer urged immediate intervention and justice. “This is not just about trees, this is about my life, my family’s survival,” he said. (CNS)