More people join hunger strike
Nishikant Khajuria
KATRA, Dec 27: As the Katra Bandh against the proposed ropeway project entered its third day on Friday, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti- which is spearheading the agitation, today extended the ongoing shutdown for 72 hours more amid continuation of the stalemate between administration and the protesting stakeholders.
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With black flags displayed across the town, shops, restaurants, and other business establishments remained closed for the third consecutive day, and vehicular movement was at a standstill in protest against the proposed ropeway project linking Tarakote Marg with Sanji Chhat near the shrine.
More people today joined the ongoing hunger strike for release of the detainees even as one participant, namely Shiva, was hospitalized after his condition deteriorated.
Women and children have now joined the six protesters who began a hunger strike on Wednesday night, demanding the release of 18 Samiti members detained during a protest march against the project earlier that day.
“Our hunger strike will continue until the detained Samiti leaders and other individuals are released. If someone falls ill, another will replace them,” said a protester.
Meanwhile, the ongoing shutdown has been extended for three more days amid no fruitful negotiations between the administration and the agitating stakeholders.
A unanimous decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the members of Sangharsh Samiti, which represents local stakeholders, including shopkeepers, pony operators, palanquin owners, and has been spearheading the ongoing agitation.
Former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, who has been actively participating in the ongoing protests, told media persons that a unanimous decision was taken to further extend the ongoing shutdown for three more days as the administration was creating an un-necessary crisis with its indifferent approach, instead of initiating dialogue with the local stakeholders.
“Our main demand is to shelve the ropeway project, as it threatens the livelihood of Katra residents, most of whom rely on the pilgrimage economy,” he said and added that not linking the Expressway with Tarakote Marg and release of all detained protesters are their other demands.
Congress leader Jai Sidh Bhalla visited Katra and extended support to the protesters. Arun Gupta, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu, also extended support to the Sangharsh Samiti and expressed concern over the administration’s handling of the matter.
Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of National Conference, has also expressed solidarity with the residents of Katra and stressed that the Shrine Board must ensure that no livelihood would be affected at any cost by this ropeway project.
Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board decided to move forward with a Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track to the shrine after shelving the project in the past due to similar protests.
According to the Shrine Board, the project will facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children and others who find it difficult to climb the track to the cave shrine. However, the Sangharsh Samiti argues that the ropeway would destroy the livelihoods of local stakeholders and thus the project must be shelved.
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