Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, Katra, relaunched their agitation on Wednesday by observing a peaceful bandh in the township in protest against the proposed Rs 250 Crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanjhi Chhat, which leads to the cave shrine nestled in the Trikuta Hills.

To maintain the law and order situation and ensure the safety of the pilgrims the local police authorities conducted a march in the Katra town. During the day the pilgrims were seen facing hardships during the complete shutdown. The transport facilities also remained suspended making it difficult for the pilgrims to commute from one place to another.

At the end of the first round of the four-day-long protests, the Sangarsh Samiti had given an ultimatum to the Jammu and Kashmir government to concede their demands by December 15, or else they would be left with no other option but to relaunch their agitation.

In the absence of any concrete assurance or dialogue between the different stakeholders, the Sangarsh Samiti decided to observe a peaceful bandh. A large rally, backed by various organisations, was held by the Samiti from the Shalimar Park to oppose the ropeway project.

Carrying placards and wearing black armbands, protestors raised slogans against the shrine board and the project.

“The Sangharsh Samiti is fighting for our rights as the board is out to snatch the bread and butter of over 60,000 families. Everyone - hoteliers, shopkeepers, pony operators, labourers and transporters - has come out to the streets against the ropeway project. We want the project to be shelved,” Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, president of the Vaishno Devi Trek Mazdoor Union, told reporters.

Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board decided to install the ropeway to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children and others who find it difficult to climb the 13-km-long track to the cave shrine.

The leaders of the group announced that five of its members would observe a hunger strike to press for a written assurance from the lieutenant governor or the home minister that the ropeway project would be scrapped. Former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, who also joined the rally, said the government had failed to fulfill its commitment to resolve the issue by December 15.