Summary:
After reaching the bus terminus here, unknown agents here offload them and take them to their respective destinations. Fears of banned Chinese Fuji apples, containing harmful pests, having inundated the local markets has led to panic among fruit lovers in the city.Most of this panic - perhaps not unfounded - was occasioned by the seizure of 350 cartons of shiny Chinese apples weighing 6300 kg by customs officials last week. "A customs official said, "Though import of these apples is suspended, they are smuggled into the city as many fruit sellers place orders for them." The fungicide used for ripening these apples, known as Urbacid or Tuzet, can cause skin rashes besides leading to other illnesses. Explaining the modus operandi of the fruit smugglers, customs sources added, "All these apples have entered India through Moreh market in Manipur ..