Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Nov 24: Local shopkeepers and labourers, who are protesting for the last three days against the proposed ropeway project for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, today announced to extend their ongoing stir for one more day.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
On the third consecutive day of their 72-hour strike, hundreds of shopkeepers and labourers took out a protest rally today.
The protesters also held a sit-in outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Shalimar Park in Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine.
Carrying banners and placards, they raised slogans against the Shrine Board and the ropeway project, which they claim, would render them jobless.
The three-day strike by shopkeepers, pony and palanquin owners started on Friday after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans to proceed with a Rs 250 crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track.
The protesters held a peaceful rally along the traditional trek route, demanding immediate withdrawal of the proposal or proper rehabilitation of all families likely to be affected by the project.
Most private shops along the trek route remained closed for the third day while pony and palanquin owners did not provide service to the pilgrims, causing immense hardships to many devotees even as the pilgrimage continued without disruption.
Congress leader and labourers’ union president Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) State president Manish Sahni and several others joined the protest demonstration by local stakeholders. They urged the Government to come out with a rehabilitation plan for the affected people and suggested a financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for each labourer.
Last week, the shrine board announced implementation of the long-awaited ropeway project to facilitate a safer and faster journey for the pilgrims. The project had been shelved in the past due to similar protests.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
