Jammu Kashmir, 27 December (H.S.): A delegation of Congress leaders led by JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla and comprising of former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan ex-MLC, District president Jammu Urban Manmohan Singh, Satish Sharma, Ajay Lakhotra AP Singh Lucky, Anirudh Sawhney, and others, 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, 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 protest giving 72 hour ultimatum.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla assured support for justice to the labourers and finding amicable solution to the issue and urged them to peacefully agitate.. .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 the administration and Shrine Board authorities to address the issues of all the stakeholders before going ahead with the project.
Bhalla contended 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.
Emphasizing the project’s adverse effects on local businesses, Bhalla criticized the Shrine Board for its alleged insensitivity, saying, “Dialogue is essential to resolve this impasse. Force is not the answer.” He criticized the “use of force” against the protesters.”We strongly condemn the administration’s move to use force against peaceful demonstrators,” Bhalla said.
Asserting that religious places should not be converted into tourism hotspots, Bhalla requested Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to reconsider constructing a ropeway on the trek leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
