Princely2 minutes agoAuthor: Rauf Dar
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After the arrest of 18 people, Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti intensified the protest.
The bandh against the ropeway project in Trikuta hills of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir continues for the 5th day on Sunday. 18 protesters were arrested by Katra police 3 days ago, 5 other protesters sat on hunger strike demanding their release.
Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) has extended its support to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti and asked the administration to resolve the issue through talks.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Surinder Chaudhary supported the protesters and said – the decision of the ropeway project is wrong. If the people of Katra do not want the ropeway project, then the Shrine Board and LG should listen to them and solve the problems, because it will lead to loss of employment of 40 thousand people.
Actually, Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is constructing a ropeway at a cost of Rs 250 crore on a 12 kilometer route between Tarakot Marg and Sanjhi Chhat in Katra for the devotees to visit the temple.
Till now, only mules and palanquins take the devotees coming to Vaishno Devi to visit the temple. This is their source of income. That’s why they are opposing the ropeway project.
3 photos of the performance…
At present one can reach Vaishno Devi temple only on foot, palanquin or mule. The protesters said that the Shrine Board wants to do business in the name of disabled people.
Deputy CM can reach Katra on Sunday to meet the traders protesting in the cold.
Traders said that the ropeway and 6 lane project will take away their livelihood.
On December 25, Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested the protesters. Protestors also accused of lathicharge
Lathicharge on protesters, 18 people arrested, Congress comes in support
The protesters said that Katra police arrested people who were protesting peacefully. They also lathicharged. For this reason we have extended the bandh for 72 hours. Former Congress minister Jugal Sharma also came in support of the protesters.
LG said- project work will be completed by January
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha had visited the site of the under-construction Jammu Tawi Riverfront Project. He had said- 90% of the work has been completed. It is expected that it will be completed by January. On the ongoing protests in Katra, he had said that the ropeway project announced by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board aims to provide fast and safe travel for pilgrims.
Protestors are demanding Rs 20 lakh compensation
Labor union president Bhupinder Singh Jamwal and Shiv Sena (UBT) state president Manish Sahni also participated in the protest against the ropeway project. He had demanded a compensation of ₹20 lakh for every citizen affected by the ropeway project. Also asked to make a rehabilitation plan for the affected people.
84 lakh people have visited so far in 2024
More than 86 lakh people have reached Vaishno Devi till October this year for darshan. Shrine Board officials say that the figure will reach above 1 crore. Last year more than 95 lakh people had visited.