Vaishno Devi ropeway venture: A protest march led by shopkeepers and labourers in opposition to a proposed ropeway venture alongside the trek path to the Vaishno Devi shrine turned violent in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Monday wherein a policeman obtained injured. The protesters resorted to stone pelting and clashed with police as they tried to cease their march.
Protesters name off their strike
Later, the district administration held an hour-long dialogue with protesters, urging them to name off their ongoing strike. After the assembly, the agitators introduced to finish their strike as the federal government officers assured them of holding talks with completely different stakeholders, together with shrine board officers, to handle their issues.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday stated the real issues of the folks protesting on the Katra base camp in opposition to the proposed ropeway venture alongside the Mata Vaishno Devi route can be addressed.
Sit-in in Katra city in opposition to ropeway venture
Amid slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, a whole lot of protesters held a march and sit-in in Katra city, the bottom camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine atop Trikuta hill. The protesters, who had initially referred to as for a 72-hour strike, prolonged it by 24 hours late on Sunday.
Throughout Monday’s protest, pressure escalated when a Central Reserve Police Drive (CRPF) automobile tried to move via the city whereas the protesters had been holding a dharna.
Some protesters turned violent, hitting the automobile and breaking its windshield, officers stated. The automobile was moved again with police intervention, prompting violent clashes throughout which some protesters threw bricks on the police, chased them, and even manhandled them, they added.
Some policemen had been allegedly crushed by the protesters. Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi) Paramvir Singh stated, “The legislation and order scenario has turn out to be difficult, and we are attempting to deal with it.
Officers are in talks with the protesters to resolve the difficulty.”
The protesters are demanding that the venture be shut down or that compensation be supplied to all these prone to be affected.
What’s ropeway venture?
The strike, referred to as by shopkeepers and pony and palanquin homeowners, started on November 22 after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board introduced plans to proceed with the Rs 250-crore ropeway venture between Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat alongside the 12-kilometre route.
The shopkeepers and labourers concern the venture, proposed to be accomplished in two years, would render them jobless.
Sinha, who can be the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), stated a committee headed by the divisional commissioner of Jammu had already spoken to stakeholders to construct consensus on the event tasks.
He was chatting with reporters after reviewing the continuing Tawi Riverfront venture within the metropolis.
Stone-pelting incident in Katra
Responding to a query in regards to the stone-pelting incident in Katra on the fourth day of the strike, the LG stated issues concerning potential job losses are being taken care of. Nevertheless, he emphasised that there can be no compromise on growth tasks and creating employment alternatives for the folks.
Reasi Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan and protest chief Bhupinder Singh collectively introduced the strike’s suspension. “I’ve held talks with Bhupinder. We’re conscious of your calls for and issues. Bhupinder has given time until December 15 to carry talks with all stakeholders to resolve the problems,” Mahajan stated whereas addressing the protesters.
(With PTI inputs)