Srinagar, Jan 18: The locals from Saffron area of Pampore on Monday staged protest demonstrations in the City against the fake Saffron ‘makers’ and said the government should act tough against them.
 They also prayed to the local Court to take strict action the three persons arrested last week in connection with the “making” of fake saffron.
 The protesters while displaying fake Saffron to mediamen said: “The accused have produced a large quantity of fake saffron using adulterated material. Granting bail to them will encourage the practice and bring bad name to the Kashmiri saffron business, known globally.”
 Last week Wednesday, the Pantha Chowk police had arrested three persons for allegedly “making” fake saffron from Zafron Colony on the City outskirts.
 The very next day, on January 14, the Saffron Growers and Dealers Association of Pampore Thursday filed objections in the local Court against grant of bail to the trio saying they had bought “disrepute to a prime industry of Kashmir.”
 The association President, G M Pampori filed the objections in the Court of Duty Magistrate against the grant of bail.
 Police ad identified the trio as as Abdul Rashid Dar son of Ali Muhammad, Abdul Gaffar Dar son of Muhammad Sultan, residents of Befina Pampore and Farooq Ahmad Shah son of Ghulam Qadir Shah of Pantha Chowk and recovered 90 KG Saffron from their possession.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST