hunger-strike-over-ropeway-project-in-katra-enters-day-2

The shutdown in the Katra base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in J&K entered its second day on Thursday with protesters sitting on hunger strike to press the demands for those detained by police a day earlier.  

 

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti has decided to continue its 72-hour shutdown, which started on Wednesday. The Samiti has also announced the suspension of all activities in Katra till matters are resolved. 

 

Samiti spokesperson told reporters "The bandh will continue until the government shelves the ropeway project. It is an assault on the livelihoods of most Katra residents, who are dependent on the pilgrimage economy.”

 

As part of their ongoing initiative to boost tourism and pilgrimage in the region, the board decided to install a ropeway project to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children, and those with physical disabilities who are unable to climb the 13-kilometre track.

 

The Samiti, which represents all those associated with Mata Vaishno Devi, claimed that the proposed ropeway project was going to destroy the livelihood of the local business owners.

 

For the second consecutive day on Thursday, all shops, restaurants, and business establishments remained closed, and traffic was off the roads in the town.

Additionally, the Samiti’s six members were sitting on hunger strike on Wednesday, demanding the release of 18 members detained by the police.

 

One of the Samiti members sitting on the hunger strike said, "We demand their release. If the Samiti members were demonstrating peacefully, they should not have been detained. We will continue the hunger strike until those detained individuals are released," said one of the protestors participating in the hunger strike.

 

Several protesters, including two leaders of the Samiti -- Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand -- were detained by police and taken away in a police vehicle from the protest site during Wednesday's march.

 

Meanwhile, "Over 93 lakh Yatris have paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine this year," said Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shrine Board, on X.

 

The bandh, according to several Yatris, has caused immense inconvenience as all the eateries have been shut down by the protesters.

Additionally, they have requested the Samiti to keep food and convenience points out of their bandh. "The bandh is causing huge inconvenience to the pilgrims," one of the devotees said.