Vaishno Devi Ropeway Controversy Sparks Violent Clashes Between Protesters and Police
J&K (The Uttam Hindu): A march by shopkeepers and laborers protesting a proposed ropeway project along the Vaishno Devi trek route turned violent on Monday, as clashes broke out between the protesters and police at the Katra base camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.
According to police, the law and order situation escalated, and efforts were underway to negotiate with the protesters to ease tensions. Officials confirmed that one policeman was injured after being assaulted by the protesters.
The protest began with hundreds of shopkeepers and workers marching through Katra town, chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and holding a sit-in. Initially, the protesters had called for a 72-hour strike, which they extended by an additional 24 hours late on Sunday. The strike started on November 22 after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans to move forward with a Rs 250-crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometer trek route. The workers fear the project will leave them unemployed, as it is expected to be completed in two years.
The situation turned tense on Monday when a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle tried to pass through Katra while the protesters were staging their dharna. Some protesters became violent, damaging the vehicle by hitting it and breaking its windshield. The vehicle was forced to retreat, but police intervention led to clashes, during which protesters threw bricks at officers.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi) Paramvir Singh acknowledged the growing challenge to law and order and said that negotiations were underway with protest leaders to find a resolution. The protesters are demanding either the cancellation of the project or compensation for those affected by it.