Srinagar, March 14 -- "This is very unusual given the fact that people would consume watermelon during the Ramazan," Parray, a resident of Parimpora told Kashmir Observer.

Not just Parray, but nearly all fruit vendors across Srinagar city and other districts in the valley are expressing concerns. They attribute a decline in business to an 'unverified' claim by a doctor suggesting that watermelons are early-ripened fruits.

"We have been selling the watermelons for the past many years and would earn a good amount of money, but ever since rumors about watermelons being artificially ripenined has spread across, consumers are hesitant in buying the fruit," said another vendor, Shakeel Ahmad.

Kashmir Observer earlier reported that the Food S...