Bijbehara, Mar 27: Unidentified persons chopped scores of apple trees in two different places at Kandipora area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, locals said Monday.

The inhabitants of Kandipora, Bijbehara said  that during the intervening night of Sunday-Monday (March 26&27), miscreants damaged apple orchards belonging to some nine families in Kandipora area of Bijbehara.

They said miscreants chopped down more than a hundred fruit-bearing apple trees by using axes and saws.

The locals said that the apple orchards are their only source of livelihood. “Dozens of families are dependent on these trees and the chopping down of the trees has created tremendous panic among the locals,” they added.

The locals have appealed to the higher ups to find the culprits and compensate for the losses they have suffered.

A police official said that the locals have registered a complaint in this matter and an FIR vide number 72/2023 under relevant sections of law has been registered while further investigation has been taken up.kno