Jammu, December 27:
A Congress delegation going to meet people involved in the Katra ropeway movement was stopped by heavy police force at Ban Toll Plaza Nagrota. For about two hours, there was a debate between Congress leaders and police officials to allow them to go ahead. But the police did not let them go ahead. The party leaders alleged that the strike has been going on in Katra for two days, but the BJP is silent on this issue. They do not care about the basic facilities of the passengers.
Party working president Raman Bhalla said that lodging FIR against anti-Katra ropeway protesters is wrong. They are fighting for their rights. The administration should involve stakeholders to make the atmosphere peaceful. The board is adamant on its stand. The strike against the ropeway was earlier withdrawn after the district administration assured to hold talks with various stakeholders, including shrine board officials.
But the administration’s retreat forced them to take to the streets again to protest. They raised concerns about the livelihood of thousands of workers engaged in ferrying pilgrims to the holy shrine, besides the business in Katra. The ropeway project will take pilgrims away from the traditional walking route. The project ignores local concerns.
