don-t-turn-shrine-into-tourist-spot-mufti-tells-lg-sinha

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha to review and reconsider the construction of a ropeway on the trek leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district.

 

She also called for the withdrawal of the FIR against protesters involved in recent clashes with police personnel in Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered shrine atop Trikuta hills.

 

She said, “The livelihood of shopkeepers, labourers, and others is linked to the pilgrimage, and they are bound to face a lot of problems (after the construction of the ropeway). The government should think that it is a religious place and treat it like one instead of converting it into a tourist spot.”

 

“There are several other tourist spots with immense potential; this is a place of reverence where people come with pure hearts to seek blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. Constructing a ropeway will potentially snatch the livelihood of hundreds of families,” she added.

 

Highlighting the state’s unemployment crisis, she remarked, “J&K is already battling the country’s highest unemployment rate as both government and private sector jobs are nowhere.”

 

She also criticised the privatisation process, stating, “Privatisation requires electricity. Though Jammu and Kashmir produces electricity, it is given free of cost to some states, and we have nothing for ourselves. People who earn their livelihood through labour work with the blessings of Mata will lose the opportunity after the ropeway’s construction.”

 

Mehbooba urged the LG and the shrine board to reconsider the decision to implement the ropeway project. She suggested that the project be relocated to another area to preserve the livelihoods of the affected families.

 

“The LG has been here for the last five years, and he should inform us all about how many jobs were created and given to the youth of J&K,” she demanded.

In an assertive tone, she added, “When you snatch livelihood opportunities from people, protests are bound to happen. In a democracy, people have the right to protest.”