On the fifth day of protests in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, against a proposed ₹300-crore ropeway project to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to heed the concerns of the demonstrators. Speaking to the crowd, Choudhary emphasized the need for the government to listen to the local populace, quoting a poet on the plight of the poor.
Choudhary stated that he was present at the protests following instructions from National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, and he promised to report back on the situation. He stressed that this issue transcends politics and is fundamentally about the livelihoods of Katra's residents.
The protests have drawn participation from various locals, including shopkeepers and pony operators, who argue that the Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway would threaten their livelihoods by diverting pilgrims away from traditional routes. Choudhary highlighted the distress of mothers concerned about their children's unemployment and urged peaceful demonstrations in line with Mahatma Gandhi's principles of non-violence.
Prominent figures, including former BJP minister Ajay Nanda and other local leaders, joined the protests, with BJP MLA Baldev Sharma expressing support and threatening a hunger strike if detained protesters were not released soon. The agitation has led to a complete shutdown in Katra, disrupting daily life as businesses remain closed and traffic is halted.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, which initiated the protests, is demanding not only the cancellation of the ropeway project but also the release of several leaders detained during earlier demonstrations. The strike has been extended until January 1, as protesters remain steadfast in their demands.