Srinagar: The shutdown in Kashmir over the abrogation of Article 370 has crippled the valley's economy as the business community has reportedly suffered losses amounting to over Rs 10,000 crore in three months.
All trade-related establishments in the Valley have been closed for about three months now. Business centres, shops, private factories and daily labourers have been adversely affected.
Apple farming, which is considered the backbone of Kashmir's economy, has been badly hit due to the prevailing conditions in the valley.
Since the Centre's decision on Article 370, terrorists have been targeting truckers and labourers, mainly who have come to the Valley from outside Kashmir.
The killings of non-locals in the Valley has largely affected the trade, creating an environment of fear among other drivers, which is why they are not willing to go to Kashmir Valley.
When ETV Bharat spoke to a number of truck drivers, they opined that the transport sector in Kashmir was already on the decline, and the killings have just made things worse.
Following the killings, Shopian police have been guarding the Harpura area on Mughal Road, District Police Lines in Pulwama, and Shopian-Srinagar Road to prevent any untoward incidents. All non-local truckers are being sent back by the police.
Officials insist that the brutal campaign against the truckers is aimed at blocking apple exports from the Valley.
Authorities say that the terrorists want to portray that the situation in Kashmir is completely disturbed and that a "movement" is underway against the Centre's move on Article 370.
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