Srinagar, Dec 29: The agitation in Katra against the proposed Rs 300-crore ropeway project to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has entered fifth day.
Leaders from both the BJP and Congress joined the protestors and threatened to intensify protests if demands were not fulfilled.
With black flags raised across the town, shops, restaurants, and other business establishments remained closed for the 5th consecutive day, while vehicular movement came to a halt.
The protesters, comprising locals, shopkeepers, and pony and palki operators, argue that the Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway bypassing the traditional pilgrimage route could threaten their livelihoods.
Suraj Sharma, a pony operator participating in the protests said that this ropeway will rob us of our daily bread. We have been serving pilgrims for generations, he said.
Amid the disruption caused by the bandh, the Shrine Board has made arrangements to support pilgrims arriving in Katra.
Another local, Praveen Gupta said that they are not against development, but it should not come at the cost of people’s livelihoods. The government must engage in dialogue with stakeholders, he added.
A Shrine Board official told Rising Kashmir that around 20,000 devotees visited the shrine on Friday, only slightly less than the 21,500 who made the journey the day before the bandh began.
“Black flags are visible across the town to mark the protest, and six persons have been fasting at Katra’s main chowk since Wednesday night. However, the health of one of the protesters, identified as Nakul Dogra, deteriorated, and he had to be hospitalized,” he added.
The bandh was extended on Friday after 18 protesters, including Sangarsh Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were detained by police while attempting to hold a procession despite restrictions.
BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma also reached the protesters and threatened the admin to sit on a hunger strike if those detained are not released within 24 hours.
Sharma, who joined the protesters on Sunday, warned the administration of a chain hunger strike if the detained Samiti members are not released within 24 hours.
“I will sit on a hunger strike with my people if the administration does not release those detained. The administration should immediately release them,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA told the protesters.
He praised the unity shown by the people of Katra. “The residents of Katra have proven that we stand together in this fight. I thank youngsters and women for supporting this protest,” Sharma said.
He added that the BJP has raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders in Delhi.
“Our representatives went to Delhi and the home minister has taken cognisance of the issue. The leadership has been asked to find a solution. That is why I am here with you,” he said.
Former Minister J&K and senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney, along with J&K Congress Sewa Dal Chief Vijay Sharma, joined the ongoing protests in Katra to extend their support to the protesters.
While joining the protest, they demanded the immediate release of 18 protesters who were detained by the administration in earlier protests against the ropeway project.
The J&K Congress leaders said that they will show solidarity to the protesters on this issue as they are fighting for their right, and while the world is happily celebrating the new year to come, the families of the detained protesters are in distress due to the administration’s actions.
Sawhney criticized the administration for suppressing the voices of people fighting for their rights. He expressed their disappointment over the arrests, calling it a blatant misuse of power and an infringement on democratic values.
“It is very shocking that the administration instead of listening to the genuine concerns of the traders who are major stakeholders in this issue, they are detaining and arresting the protesters. This is highly condemnable,” he added.
Earlier, Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti spokesperson, Karan Singh told Rising Kashmir that they have extended the bandth for next 72 hours. Our fight will continue until the government abandons the ropeway project, which poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of most Katra residents reliant on the pilgrimage economy, he added.
“All parties, both political and those part of the Samiti, are united in this agitation. Representatives from various parties are present here, and everyone is standing together in opposition to the ropeway project,” Singh said.
He said the administration is indifferent to the plight of people, including women and children, holding peaceful protests. Our simple demand is to shelve the project as it threatens the livelihood of Katra residents, most of whom rely on the pilgrimage economy, the spokesman said.
Singh further alleged that instead of initiating dialogue, the administration resorted to force, including the detention of samiti leaders during a peaceful protest.
Last week, Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shrine Board said on X that over 93 lakh yatris have paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine this year.
“Special Langars set up by the Shrine Board at Katra Railway Station, Banganga and Tarakote offering Tea and Milk to the pilgrims, as Yatra continues smoothly through both the tracks,” he added.
Dy CM visits Katra: Assesses issues, concerns of local residents
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today visited Katra to assess and address the issues and concerns of local residents.
During the visit, several delegations called on the Dy CM and apprised him of their grievances and demands as well seeking prompt redressal of the same.
The Dy CM also visited Shalimar Park and Katra Bus Stand and took stock of facilities there.
While interacting with the deputations, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government stands firmly with the people and is fully committed to their welfare and development.
The Dy CM assured the people that their grievances and demands will be looked into on priority for redressal.
Acknowledging the importance of addressing public grievances, he assured the delegations of the government’s commitment towards welfare of the people.
“The government remains committed towards upholding the rights of every individual while ensuring no one is deprived of the benefits of schemes being implemented by the UT administration, maintained the Dy CM.”
