Reasi/Jammu, Dec 31: Health department officials conducted a full medical check-up on the youths continuing their hunger strike in Katra, Jammu, pressing for the release of individuals detained during protests. The holy town, which is the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi, has been observing a shutdown for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday. The protest is against the proposed ropeway project in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, which has been spearheading the protest, announced another shutdown on Wednesday, with all activities in Katra remaining suspended. Shops, restaurants, and business establishments have remained closed for the duration of the protest, and traffic has been off the roads. The ongoing shutdown has significantly disrupted normal life in Katra, one of the busiest towns in India, which sees thousands of pilgrims daily visiting the cave shrine. Eight youths are currently 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 protestors, including Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were detained and taken away by the police during the march last Wednesday.
One of the youths on hunger strike has been hospitalized, but the protest continues to gather attention. The closure of businesses and the suspension of activities in the town have created challenges, especially as the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine has risen drastically with the arrival of the New Year.
Despite the difficulties posed by the shutdown, pilgrims, such as Devi Sharan from Rajasthan, have expressed their determination to visit the shrine. Sharan, traveling with a group of 23, said, “We knew about the continuous shutdown and the resulting scarcity of facilities, but our faith is a bigger driving force than the lack of amenities.”
On the other hand, some pilgrims have cancelled their visits due to the ongoing unrest.
The controversy began last month when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board proposed a ₹250-crore ropeway project aimed at making the shrine more accessible, especially for senior citizens and those facing difficulties in climbing the 13-km-long track. The ropeway would connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, ultimately facilitating easier access to the cave shrine. The plan, however, has been met with opposition from local groups, leading to the ongoing protests.
