Intensifying their agitation against a proposed ropeway to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, protesters decided on Friday to extend for another 72 hours the bandh that has brought Katra to a standstill since it was called on Wednesday.
Led by the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Sangarsh Samiti, the protests have seen several locals, including shopkeepers, owners of eateries and operators of ponies and palkis, come out against the proposed Rs 300-crore Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway that is meant to bypass the old Katra-Banga-Adi Kunwari route of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. Protesters argue that the ropeway could have a major impact on their sources of livelihood.
The bandh has led to the closure of most shops and eateries in Katra, where black flags can be seen at regular intervals and local private vehicles have stayed off the roads.
However, it has had little impact on the number of pilgrims arriving at Vaishno Devi shrine, for which Katra acts as a base camp. According to shrine board officials, around 20,000 pilgrims proceeded to the shrine on Friday – not showing a major dip from the 21,500 who embarked on the yatra before the bandh was called on Wednesday.
The protesters said the bandh was being extended for another 72 hours on Friday because nearly 18 of them, including Sangarsh Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were yet to be released by police after being detained Wednesday when they tried to take out a procession in the town despite authorities asking them not to.
A senior police officer confirmed that several protesters were apprehended on the first day of Katra bandh. “They have been detained under preventive measures,” a senior police officer said, adding that “it is not in our hands to release them”.
Meanwhile, one of the six protesters fasting since Wednesday night at Katra main chowk had to be hospitalised as his health deteriorated. The protester was identified as Nakul Dogra.
Katra town had received over 90 lakh pilgrims last year, and is expected to get up to 1 crore this year, officials said.
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