Cop injured in Anti-Ropeway Protests in J-K's Katra

Cop injured in Anti-Ropeway Protests in J-K’s Katra

by · Northlines

Katra, Nov 25: Tensions escalated on Monday as a march by shopkeepers and labourers protesting the proposed ropeway project along the trek route to the Vaishno Devi shrine turned violent at the Katra base camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.

The protest, which began as a peaceful sit-in and march, turned chaotic when some demonstrators clashed with police. A policeman was injured after being manhandled by the protesters, according to officials. Hundreds of protesters, chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” participated in the demonstration, which was originally called as a 72-hour strike. Late on Sunday, the protestors extended the strike by another 24 hours. The strike was organized in response to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s announcement of a Rs 250-crore ropeway project, which would connect Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre route. The shopkeepers and pony and palanquin owners fear the project will render them unemployed.

The situation worsened when a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle tried to pass through Katra while the protesters were holding their sit-in. Some demonstrators became violent, attacking the vehicle and smashing its windshield. Police intervened, leading to clashes, during which protesters reportedly threw bricks at the officers.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi) Paramvir Singh stated, “The law and order situation has become challenging, and we are trying to handle it. Officers are in talks with the protesters to resolve the issue.”

The protesters have demanded that the ropeway project be halted or that compensation be provided to those who would be affected by its implementation.