Pune: A protest by fruit traders at Pune’s busy Market Yard intensified recently when a local trader reported receiving a death threat from a Pakistan-based phone number. The threat followed the traders’ collective decision to boycott apples imported from Turkey, reacting to reports that Turkey had supplied military equipment to Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor.
The boycott originated at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Pune, where traders united to oppose Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan. One prominent trader leading the boycott began receiving repeated calls from an international number on a messaging platform early Thursday morning. After ignoring the calls, he received a voice message containing abusive language against India and a direct threat to his life, warning that harm would come if the boycott persisted. The trader promptly forwarded the message and caller details to the police for further action.
In response to the threat, the trader reaffirmed his commitment to the boycott and expressed support for promoting apples grown locally in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and other Indian states. Following the incident, a delegation of Market Yard traders approached the Joint Pune Police Commissioner to request a formal investigation. The police confirmed that the complaint had been passed to the crime branch and that an investigation was underway, noting the difficulty posed by the foreign origin of the caller.
Amid growing tensions, traders at Market Yard escalated their protest by dumping crates of Turkish apples onto the street, symbolically condemning Turkey’s backing of Pakistan. The boycott involves a wide range of produce imported from Turkey, including apples, cherries, litchis, plums, and dry fruits, with the annual value of apple imports estimated at around ₹1,200 crore.
The boycott movement in Pune has gained traction across other states, with traders in Uttar Pradesh also announcing a halt to Turkish imports. Vendors have confirmed that while some shipments are still in transit, no new orders for Turkish produce will be placed. Traders across regions have expressed strong opposition to trading with countries that support terrorism or stand against India.
The protest has also received political backing from Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, who commended the traders for prioritizing the nation’s interests and emphasized the importance of a united stand against those supporting attacks in regions like Pahalgam.
The incident underscores rising concerns over the safety of local traders amid geopolitical tensions and highlights how international political developments can directly impact local trade dynamics. Police investigations continue as the trader community remains resolute in their protest against Turkish imports.
