Jammu, November 23:
On Friday, the porters, palanquin and horse operators went on a 72-hour strike in protest against the installation of a ropeway on the Tarakot Marg of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. Along with them, the residents of Panchayat Purana Darud, near Charan Paduka on the traditional route, have also announced to keep their business establishments closed. After staging a dharna at Shridhar Chowk. All of them expressed their anger outside the cinema hall. A peaceful demonstration was also held for about an hour and a half outside the Shrimata Vaishno Devi Board office. All private business establishments remained closed from Baan Ganga area to Milkwar on Bhawan Marg.
The protesters say that if a ropeway is built from Tarakot. The traditional pilgrimage route will be closed. The local shopkeepers along with palanquin bearers, porters and horses will face a livelihood crisis. We will not let our children’s livelihood be affected. Today we have protested peacefully. If the Shrine Board does not agree, we will protest fiercely against the ropeway.
Due to the strike of horse, porter and palanquin bearers, the devotees coming to visit Mata Vaishno Devi had to travel on foot. Elderly, women and sick devotees had to face difficulties during the Vaishno Devi Yatra. However, battery car service was available to the devotees from Ardhkuniari to Bhawan on Bhawan Marg, while on the other hand helicopter service also continued.
