Jammu, Dec 26 (KNO): A protest against the ropeway project, a 72-hour shutdown call given by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti on Thursday entered into the second day in Katra town of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
All the stakeholders including pony owners, shopkeepers and other traders are protesting against the proposed ropeway project at Katra–the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The businesses in Katra town remained completely closed since morning on the second day of the 72-hours shutdown call.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders, including Working President Raman Bhalla, Former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, and several other prominent leaders said that they were stopped by the police at Ban Toll Plaza on their way to Katra to extend support to the Katra ropeway protesters.
The leaders were en route to join the ongoing three-day strike supporting local protesters.
“Police action is an attempt to prevent Congress leaders from engaging with the protesting public in Katra,” alleged a Congress party spokesperson.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), videos showed the “detained” Congress leaders arguing with police officers at the toll plaza, expressing their intent to participate peacefully in the ongoing strike. However, J&K Police are yet to issue an official statement.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President, Raman Bhalla, condemned the “use of force against peaceful protesters in Katra”. He further said that the project “threatens the livelihoods of thousands of workers”. “Instead of engaging in dialogue, the administration is using force, which is unacceptable,” Bhalla added.
He criticized the administration for ignoring the concerns of the locals, accusing it of aggravating the situation. “The shutdown has caused significant inconvenience to pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi, with the closure of eateries and suspension of local transport adding to their hardships,” Bhalla said.
Bhalla urged the administration to address the issue on humanitarian grounds and work towards an amicable solution. “Thousands of pilgrims are facing difficulties. The administration must resolve this issue without further escalating tensions,” he added.
Bhalla’s statement comes at a time when tensions in Katra are running high, with residents and workers continuing their protests against the “controversial” ropeway project, which they believe could lead to massive job losses.
Earlier, the fresh protesters have been on a 72-hour shutdown since Wednesday. Several people were detained by police during a protest. The protestors alleged that the government was derailing the issue and forcing them to come on the roads instead of finding the solution by holding deliberation. They stated that all activity in Katra would be halted during the protest.
What is the project?
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said last month that it would be installing a ropeway to make it easier for elderly people, children, and anyone who finds it difficult to walk the 13-kilometre trail to the cave shrine to enter the temple. Connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, which leads to the shrine, is the goal of the proposed Rs 250-crore project.
The initiative, according to the committee, endangered the livelihoods of local labourers, shopkeepers, and service providers that rely on the old pilgrimage path. Residents and employees have voiced worries that the ropeway project will cause them to lose their jobs—(KNO)