Baramulla, Sept. 4 -- At first glance, the scene resembles a courtyard where paddy has been spread out to dry under the autumn sun. But there are no sheaves of paddy here.

These are thousands of recently harvested apples allegedly being sprayed with synthetic colour and spread out in the open courtyard of a farmer.

This practice of spraying synthetic colour on apples has triggered fresh concerns over the safety and credibility of Kashmir's prized horticulture industry, raising questions about consumer deception, premature harvesting and the unchecked use of chemicals in orchards.

This correspondent saw large quantities of American and other commercial varieties of apples spread across a courtyard, with some fruit appearing green or ina...