On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police reportedly resorted to a lathi-charge after protests over a proposed ropeway to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine escalated, leading to a 72-hour shutdown in Katra town.
The planned ropeway, designed to connect Tarakote on the outskirts of Katra with Sanjichhat, located just 2.5 km from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, aims to shorten the 14-km trek and bypass the traditional Katra-Ban Ganga-Adi Kunwari route that pilgrims use to access the shrine.
However, protesters argue that it will severely impact businesses along the existing route.
The protests, organised by the Katra Sangharsh Samiti, have seen numerous local residents, including shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and operators of ponies and palkis, rally against the proposed Rs 300 crore Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway.
According to the samiti leaders, the police halted the protest march, resulting in a confrontation between the two sides. Several protesters were reportedly detained during the incident.
The protests came after the Samiti claimed that discussions with the Reasi district administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had failed to yield any substantial outcomes, with the administration seeking more time to consult with higher authorities.
The Samiti has accused the administration of “derailing the talks”.
A spokesperson for the samiti argued that the ropeway would negatively impact those who depend on the traditional route for their livelihoods.
Local police officials acknowledged that they had to use a “mild lathi-charge” after protesters insisted on continuing their march, which they believed could have disrupted law and order.
However, the police did not comment on the reported detentions. A local officer explained that the matter was related to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and the proposed ropeway was outside the district administration’s remit. The administration had only been facilitating discussions between the shrine board officials and the protesters.
While Katra town appeared largely deserted on Wednesday, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine remained open to pilgrims and hotels continued to operate as usual. Sources suggest that the samiti has instructed hotels to accommodate only those pilgrims with prior bookings.
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