Jammu, Dec 25: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla on Wednesday condemned the police for allegedly detaining peaceful protesters during a demonstration against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project.
“The protesters are observing a 72-hour shutdown to voice their demands for shelving the project, which they argue threatens the livelihoods of thousands,” he said in a statement issued here.
Bhalla accused the government of sidestepping the issue and forcing Katra’s residents to take to the streets. “Instead of engaging in dialogue as promised by the administration, they are resorting to detaining people. This is unfortunate,” he said.
The Congress leader strongly condemned the “use of force” against the demonstrators, saying, “The administration’s actions are intended to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Katra, which is unacceptable.”
Bhalla criticised the government’s failure to facilitate discussions, saying that a meeting originally scheduled for December 23 was delayed to 3 PM today. He expressed concern over the closure of eateries and suspension of local transport, which has caused significant inconvenience for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. “These pilgrims are facing immense difficulties. Where will they eat or rest during this three-day bandh? This is not the right way to manage public affairs,” he added.
The JKPCC leader urged the administration to approach the situation with a humanitarian perspective and resolve the issue amicably, saying thousands of pilgrims are suffering due to the current circumstances.
