In Katra, the base town of the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, police detained several people during a protest against the proposed ropeway project. The protest coincided with a 72-hour shutdown called by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, which demanded the cancellation of the ropeway initiative. As part of the protest, all activities in Katra were halted starting Wednesday.
Protesters, led by Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, marched through the town, voicing opposition to the Shrine Board and local administration, accusing them of being inflexible in their approach. Tensions escalated when police intervened to stop the march, leading to clashes between the two sides. Several protesters, including Singh and Chand, were detained and taken away in police vehicles.
Singh criticised the government’s handling of the issue, claiming that the authorities were ignoring the concerns of Katra residents and pushing them into protest rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue. He stressed that the opposition to the ropeway project was in defense of local jobs and livelihoods, and he lamented the administration’s reliance on police force instead of addressing the protestors’ concerns.
Former minister Jugal Kishore condemned the use of force against the peaceful demonstrators, accusing the administration of escalating the situation by refusing to hold discussions. He stated that the use of force was an attempt to destabilize the situation in Katra.
In response to the shutdown call, all businesses in Katra were closed, and local transport services were suspended, disrupting the normal functioning of the town. A spokesperson for the Samiti confirmed that the shutdown was supported by pony owners, shopkeepers, and other local groups, and they would continue the strike until their demands were addressed. The administration had initially scheduled a meeting for December 23 but delayed it to the following day, which led to the continuation of the protest.
The proposed ropeway project, announced by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, is intended to provide easier access to the temple for senior citizens, children, and others who may struggle with the long, strenuous trek. The Rs 250-crore project aims to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, a key point on the way to the shrine.
While the protest gained support from locals, it caused significant inconvenience to pilgrims, who faced difficulties due to the closure of food establishments and suspension of transport services. Many expressed frustration with the shutdown, urging protest leaders to reconsider the strike, as it was causing hardship for visitors to the shrine.