Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti Wednesday intensified its ongoing agitation after local police authorities launched a fresh crackdown against the senior samiti members leading the protest during the three-day long bandh call given against the 250 crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanjhi Chhat, which leads to the cave shrine nestled in the Trikuta Hills.
At least 18 members of the Sangarsh Samiti were detained by the police while they were leading the protest march on Wednesday. The Sangarsh Samiti is expected to further intensify the stir ahead of the New Year celebrations by closing down the hotels/restaurants and guest houses. However, the final decision is yet to be taken. On day one of the 72-hour-long bandh call the entire Katra township witnessed a complete shutdown up to Banganga, the starting point of the 13 km-long serpentine trek to the cave shrine. Hundreds of shops along the trek also remained closed in support of their demand to scrap the ropeway project.
The transport facilities including auto rickshaws remained off the roads posing hardships to pilgrims.
At several places, the pilgrims reaching Katra were seen struggling to locate an eatery serving fresh food and snacks. At present the pilgrims accommodated in the hotels are being served food. Till late evening no headway was achieved by the local administration in diffusing the volatile situation.
Earlier, the situation took an ugly turn after a protest march was stopped by the local police authorities from approaching the bus stand area. Sangarsh Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand along with several other protestors were detained by the police and shifted to an undisclosed location. To contain the protestors the police also ordered lathicharge.In response the protestors raised slogans against the Shrine Board and the administration, accusing them of adopting a wrong approach to handle the crisis situation.
Speaking to the media Bhupinder Singh alleged that the government was derailing the issue and forcing the people of Katra to come on the roads. "We are demanding the shelving of this project to save the jobs of thousands of people. Instead of holding talks with us, as promised by the administration, they are using police to detain us. This is unfortunate", he said. Former minister Jugal Kishore criticised the "use of force" against the protesters. "We strongly condemn the administration's move to use force against peaceful demonstrators. Their actions are aimed at disturbing the situation in Katra, which is unacceptable," Kishore told reporters.
He accused the administration of avoiding dialogue. "Instead of holding discussions, they are aggravating the situation," he said. Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans to install the ropeway to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children, and others who find it challenging to trek the 13-km-long path to the cave shrine.
