Katra bandh enters 7th day as deadlock between admn, protesters continue
Katra, the base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, observed a shutdown for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday, protesting the proposed ropeway project in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti had called for the shutdown on Wednesday, announcing that all activities in Katra would remain suspended. The bandh has disrupted normal life in one of the busiest towns in the country, as thousands of pilgrims arrive daily to pay obeisance at the cave shrine.
Meanwhile, the health department officials on Tuesday conducted a full medical check-up of the youths continuing their hunger strike to press for the release of several persons detained during protests in Katra. One youth on hunger strike has been hospitalised.
Several protesters, including Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were detained and removed from the protest site during Wednesday’s march.
Meanwhile, Congress J&K chief Tariq Hameed Karra criticised the L-G-led administration, accusing it of creating an issue due to its negative attitude. “It seems there is anarchy in the entire J&K, as the administration is not ready to listen to the genuine demands of the people,” said Karra.
“We do not know who is benefitting from the ropeway project, yet it is being pursued by the administration despite widespread resistance. The administration should engage with genuine stakeholders,” he added.
Karra also targeted the BJP, stating that the party had repeatedly betrayed the people of J&K and would not support the protesters. Former minister Jugal Kishore, speaking to the media, urged the administration to resolve the issue immediately. “The resolution of this issue should not be delayed, as it has already been a week since so many people have been protesting and shutting down their businesses,” he said.
The BJP, which is in opposition in J&K, has so far refrained from openly supporting the protesters. However, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary of the ruling National Conference recently visited Katra and expressed solidarity with the protesting locals.
Although BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency has voiced support for the protesters, the J&K unit of the BJP has emphasised the economic losses faced by locals due to the strike.
J&K BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi urged negotiations between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti and the administration. “A mutual agreement should be reached. The L-G administration has already formed a committee on the issue, and the Samiti should select representatives for talks. In a civilised society, dialogue is the only way to resolve issues. The bandh is also affecting the pilgrimage and the livelihoods of locals,” Sethi said.
