The Diplomat Desk
Nagrota: TDD,JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla led delegation comprising of former Ministers Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan, District President Jammu Urban Manmohan Singh, Satish Sharma, Ajay Lakhotra AP Singh Lucky, Anirudh Sawhney, Atul Sharma, Kewal Krishan Yogi on way to Katra to meet agitating protesters over Katra Ropeway Project were today stopped at the Ban toll plaza by police and not allowed to proceed further.
Addressing media persons at Ban toll plaza , Bhalla stated that the objective of the delegation’s visit to Katra was to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances affecting the local community and work towards finding effective solutions after yesterday some peacefully protesting protesters were detained. The strike against the ropeway was called off earlier after the district administration assured the protesters of holding talks with different stakeholders, including Shrine Board officials, to address their concerns but due to backtrack by Administration they again started 72 hours ultimatum.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla assured support for justice to the labourers in the amicable solution to the issue and urged them to peacefully agitating their issue.He expressed concern over the livelihood of thousands of workers engaged in facilitating the pilgrims to the holy shrine besides the trade in Katra by the proposed move and asked to administration and Shrine Board to address the issues of all stakeholders before going ahead with the project,so that there is no disruption in the smooth yatra.
Bhalla contend that the ropeway project will divert pilgrims away from the traditional footpath route, threatening the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the pilgrimage for their income. The project disregards local concerns. “The authorities are making decisions without considering how this will affect families who have served pilgrims for generations,” Bhalla stated.Bhalla emphasizing the project’s adverse effects on local businesses criticized the Shrine Board for its alleged insensitivity, saying, “Dialogue is essential to resolve this impasse. Force is not the answer.” “They were promised a solution on the issue by 15 December but nothing was done. They have not respected their demand for revocation of FIR and instead arrested the protesters,” Bhalla said, seeking amicable solutions of the issue.
Former minister criticized the “use of force” against the protesters.”We strongly condemn the administration’s move to use force against peaceful demonstrators. Their actions are aimed at disturbing the situation in Katra, which is unacceptable,” Bhalla said. He accused the administration of avoiding dialogue. “Instead of holding discussions, they are aggravating the situation,” he said. Bhalla added that the administration had initially scheduled a meeting for December 23 but postponed it to 3 PM yesterday. Bhalla also regretted closure of eateries and the suspension of local transport, which caused significant inconvenience to Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims.”They are facing a lot of difficulties. Where will pilgrims eat or rest during this three-day bandh? This is not the right way to handle public affairs,” Bhalla said.”He requested Administration to handle issue on humanitarian ground and settle issue amicably as thousands of pilgrims are facing hardships,” he added.
Asserting that religious places should not be converted into tourism hotspots, Bhalla requested Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to reconsider constructing a ropeway on the trek leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district.The former Minister also demanded immediate withdrawal of an FIR against anti-ropeway protesters over the recent violence in Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered shrine atop Trikuta hills.“The livelihood of shopkeepers, labourers and others are linked to the pilgrimage and they are bound to face a lot of problems after construction of the ropeway.
The government should think that it is a religious place and be treated like one instead of converting it into a tourism spot,” Bhalla said. “This is a place of reverence where a devotee comes with a pure heart to seek blessings of the Mata. Construction of the ropeway will not only bypass three important locations enroute to the shrine but also snatch the livelihood of thousands of locals,” Bhalla said.Jammu and Kashmir is already grappling with the country’s highest unemployment rate as government jobs are nowhere and private investment is not coming, he claimed.People who earn their livelihood by means of labour work with the blessings of the Mata will lose the opportunity after the ropeway’s construction,” Bhalla said.TDD
