Hundreds of people took part in a rally against the shrine board in the main market of Kattra today against the decision to install a ropeway on the track leading to Mata Vaishnu Devi. Kattra is the base camp for visiting the Mata Vaishnu Devi temple in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma also participated in the rally which started from Shalimar Park. The people participating in the rally, which ended at the bus stand, demanded the release of the persons arrested in connection with the case registered last month following the clash between the protestors opposing the ropeway project and the police. Sri Mata Vaishnu Devi Sangharsh Samiti, which is leading the movement against the ropeway project, has called for a bandh on December 18 in support of its demands. A leader of the committee said that a decision on the future strategy would be taken that evening.
Earlier last month, shopkeepers, laborers and others working on the track leading to the Vaishnu Devi temple staged a four-day protest against the project fearing loss of their daily bread. It should be remembered that the Shrine Board had decided to install a passenger ropeway project along the 12 km long route from Tarakot Marg to the common roof. The cost of this project is 250 crores. “We believe that this project is wrong and it is tantamount to playing with our religious sentiments and making all the concerned partners unemployed,” Sharma told reporters. We have already made it clear to the committee formed by the Lieutenant Governor under the leadership of the Divisional Commissioner on this issue.” The former minister said that the protesters are not against the Shrine Board but the ropeway project. He said, “The central government and the Lt. Governor should immediately stop this project because we believe that this project will not only hurt Yatra but also Kattra financially.” Sharma said, “We were promised.” That the issue will be resolved by December 15, but nothing has happened. They did not accept our demand to dismiss the FIR and instead arrested the protestors.” He also sought support from the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and the Jammu Bar Association. On the other hand, Vaishnu Devi Track Mazdoor Union President Bhupinder Singh Jamwal said that five members of the committee will sit on hunger strike on December 18. -News-Patiala
