Katra remains shut on 4th day as stalemate over ropeway project persists
Katra remained completely shut for the fourth consecutive day today as authorities failed to resolve the ongoing stalemate over the proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project connecting the base camp of the yatra with Sanji Chhat near the shrine.
While business establishments were closed, no private vehicles plied on the roads, causing massive inconvenience to pilgrims undertaking the yatra to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in the Trikuta Hills.
Meanwhile, for the first time since the announcement of the agitation against the proposed ropeway project by the Sangharsh Samiti, MLA SMVD constituency (Katra), Baldev Raj Sharma, also reached Shalimar Park, the venue of the protest, and interacted with the Sangharsh Samiti members.
He assured protesters that one of their demands—preventing the Delhi-Katra expressway from extending beyond Katra—had been met by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said the Home Minister is monitoring the developments in Katra very seriously.
Sharma also gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the administration to release the 18 Sangharsh Samiti members detained earlier this week. He also sought shelving of the ropeway project immediately.
Several political and social leaders also demanded the ropeway project be shelved and the 18 individuals detained by the administration and lodged in Reasi and Udhampur jails be released immediately.
They warned of escalating the agitation to the streets if their demands were not met, holding the administration accountable for any consequences.
Some leaders criticized the administration for proposing a project that they believed would affect the religious sanctity of the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims also expressed difficulties, especially for children and elderly members, due to the closure of commercial establishments.
“While the young can manage with shops closed, children and elderly people are facing difficulties as they require food, water, and other essentials,” one pilgrim said, urging an immediate resolution in the interest of the pilgrims.
The protest escalated at Shalimar Chowk as the health of four out of six youth on hunger strike near Phawara Chowk deteriorated during the night of December 27-28.
After receiving hospital treatment, they returned to the venue.
News of this development drew a larger crowd of protesters, including women, traders, vendors, and drivers, to Shalimar Park, where Sangharsh Samiti leaders led the demonstrations under the leadership of Beli Ram Rana.
Congress’ Jugal Kishore Sharma, NC’s Sher Singh, and other local leaders joined the protesters early morning.
Addressing the gathering, Jugal Kishore Sharma reiterated the demand to shelve the ropeway project, citing its impact on the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the pilgrimage.
Around 3:15 pm, BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, along with BJP District President Rohit Dubey and DDC Chairperson Saraf Singh Nag, also reached the protest venue.
Sharma assured the protestors that the Expressway would not extend beyond Katra and demanded the immediate release of the detained members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti.
He added that if the detainees were not released within 24 hours, he would join the hunger strike with other BJP leaders at Baba Shridhar Chowk.
Sharma revealed that the Union Home Minister had summoned senior BJP leaders from J&K including Party President Sat Sharma, General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul and National General Secretary and incharge J&K Tarun Chugh for discussions to resolve the issue.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been closely monitoring the situation in Katra personally and he will resolve it sooner,” he said.
Sharma told the protestors that by intervening into the matter, Shah has already stopped the extension of Expressway beyond Katra town by speaking with Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Nitin Gadkari.
Leaders, including MLA Doda Mehraj Malik, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, Congress District Working President Udhampur Sumeet Magotra, and Indian United Rajput Federation President Vikramjeet Singh Manhas, were not allowed to meet the protesters.
Raman Bhalla, stopped en route to Katra for the second time in three days, expressed deep anguish, saying, “As a national party’s Working President, it is my democratic right to meet and understand the grievances of the people.”
He criticized the administration for suppressing peaceful protests, emphasizing the need for dialogue to address the concerns amicably.
AAP MLA Mehraj Malik also criticized the administration’s approach, stating, “The issue could have been resolved through meaningful dialogue, but it’s unfortunate that even elected leaders are being stopped from meeting the affected people.”
The Yuva Rajput Sabha held a press conference at the Press Club of Jammu, expressing solidarity with the protesters.
Sabha Chairman Raghubir Singh condemned the detention of peaceful protesters and demanded their immediate release.
He warned that the Sabha would march to Katra if the demands were not met.
Former President Vikram Singh Vikcy and Rajan Singh Happy echoed these sentiments, accusing the Shrine Board of prioritizing commercial ventures over local welfare.
“Since the Shrine Board’s establishment in 1986, it has prioritized commercial ventures over the welfare of the pilgrims and the locals,” they opined, and threatened to intensify the agitation if the detainees are not released immediately.
Congress’ Udhampur District Working President Sumeet Magotra, stopped at Tikri Chowk, expressed concern over the administration’s actions, noting the issue’s broader implications for Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasized that the livelihoods of thousands, including porters and palanquin bearers, depend on the pilgrimage and called for the immediate release of the detained committee members.
The Indian United Rajput Federation (IURF) extended full support to the agitation, stating that their delegation, stopped en route to Katra, was blocked without explanation.
The group criticized the administration’s confrontational stance and called for a resolution to the crisis.
Civil Society Old Janipur Jammu also condemned the arrests and lathicharge on protesters, urging organizations across the region to support the Sangharsh Samiti.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accused the Shrine Board of undermining the religious significance of the pilgrimage by proposing the ropeway.
They demanded the detainees’ release and an immediate halt to the project, warning of intensified protests if their demands were not met.
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