Kashmir's apple orchards, a backbone of the economy that supports nearly half the people living there, are deserted.

Losses are mounting as insurgent groups pressure pickers, traders and drivers to shun the industry to protest an Indian government crackdown, reports AP.

Apple growers were expecting a bumper crop this year. Now, they say, losses are in the millions of dollars due to communications blockade as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stripped Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status and imposed a strict crackdown on August 5.