nextbet Katra Closed For A Week In Protest Against Ropeway; Protesting Youth Gets Health Check

Protest against Vaishno Devi ropeway project Photo: PTI Protest against Vaishno Devi ropeway project Photo: PTI

The health department officials conducted a full medical check-up of the youths continuing their hunger strike to press for the release of several persons detained during protests in Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devinextbet, with the holy town observing a shutdown for the seventh day on Tuesday against the proposed ropeway project in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti called for the shutdown on Wednesday, announcing that all activities in Katra would remain suspended.

All shops, restaurants and business establishments remained closed for the seventh day on Tuesday and traffic stayed off the roads in the holy town following the Samiti's call for protest.

A semifinal win will ensure a silver for India, which they last won in the 1960 Rome edition. The Indians displayed a tenacious performance against Britain in the quarterfinal at the iconic Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Sunday.

PR Sreejesh then showed his heroics in the shootout as an emotional Team India players celebrated their spot in the semis wherein they will play Germany on Tuesday, August 6.

The shutdown has disrupted normal life in one of the busiest towns in the country, as thousands of pilgrims arrive daily to pay obeisance at the cave shrine.

Eight youths are on a hunger strike, demanding the release of 18 members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti who were detained during a protest march against the ropeway project in Katra.

Several protesters, including Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were detained and taken away in a police vehicle from the protest site during Wednesday's march.

Locals In Katra To Protest Rs 250 Crore Ropeway Project On Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Route | Details

BY Outlook Web Desk

gold fish slots

One youth on hunger strike has been hospitalised.

As the year comes to an end, the number of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine to pay obeisance has increased drastically in the Katra base camp.

Heavy rush of pilgrims is being seen at counters and checkpoints in the town. Despite facing difficulties, the pilgrims are enthusiastic about paying obeisance at the abode of Mata on New Year’s day.

“We have come here as a group of 23 persons to pay obeisance at the shrine on New Year’s day. We seek blessings for our families and the country,” said Devi Sharan, a resident of Rajasthan's Jaipur.

Asserting that faith is a bigger driving force than facilities, he said, “We knew there is a continuous shutdown in Jammu resulting in fewer boarding and lodging facilities. Even then, we have come to pay our obeisance to seek blessings for ourselves and our families.”

However, the other pilgrims on their way to the abode of Mata said that many people have cancelled their tickets due to the shutdown.

NGT Caps Number of Devotees To Visit Vaishno Devi Shrine At 50,000 A Day

BY Outlook Web Bureau

Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans to install a ropeway to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children and others, who find it challenging to climb the 13-km-long track to the cave shrine.

The proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhatnextbet, leading to the cave shrine in Reasi district.