Karra takes exception to approach of Administration

High level Congress Team not allowed to enter Katra

Sangharash Samiti Members expressed  their gratitude to the Congress party for solidarity and support.

Jammu, January 01 :  A  High level Congress Team deputed by the JKPCC President Shri Tariq Hameed Karra  led by Working President Shri Raman Bhalla, Former MP Ch. Lal Singh, Ex-Minister Shri Yogesh Sawhney and others, were stopped  short of Katra Town at Nawain Check Post   by the local police and administration without  any reason,  leading congress  party to react strongly to the attitude and approach  of the administration , questioning its role to deal with the sensitive issue.

Meanwhile the members of the  Sangharash Samiti  comprising  President Karan Singh and others members namely Rajesh Sadotra , Mohan Singh, Ravi Nag, Varun Magotra, Sonu Thakhur, Prabhat Singh, Raman Singh, Arun Kumar and others  reached at the Nawain Check Post to meet the PCC leaders and to express gratitude to the Congress party  and  their leaders for  their solidarity and support to the cause of people.

The congress delegation expressed  surprise over the approach  and attitude of the  local administration for  stoppage them when the agitation has been suspended  and the  party leaders  had  desired  to meet the agitating leaders and  those detained leaders released last night, leading the cause of the people to express solidarity with them. They alleged that this kind of approach of the administration would further  vitiate the  atmosphere for  an amicable solution to the issue.

Meanwhile reacting to the development, JKPCC President Shri Tariq Hameed Karra  took strong exception to this kind of  approach of the administration to stop high level congress delegation from visiting the  Katra Township to meet the people and  assess the situation. This is totally undemocratic attitude  on the part of the administration and asked the Lt. Governor to enquire into the circumstances  and the biased and partisan approach  of the authorities dealing with the situation. It sends  wrong message and create  mistrust  thus vitiating the atmosphere of further dialogue and peaceful resolution of the issue .

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla  asks Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to initiate talks with all stakeholders on Katra Ropeway project and a high-level committee ensuring  none including traders of the holy town will be at loss with commissioning of the new project.“While development must be appreciated, it should not harm any individual’s livelihood,” said Bhalla. Citing the example of Jammu city, which he said “suffered” due to developmental projects lacking proper rehabilitation plans for affected residents, Bhalla said the proposed ropeway project between Tarakote, on the outskirts of Katra, and Sanjichhat could similarly jeopardise the livelihoods of thousands who are dependent on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.“There is a growing and worrying trend of converting sacred pilgrimage sites into commercial tourist attractions..

Expressing solidarity with the residents of Katra, Bhalla warned that the entire town would face isolation from the pilgrimage economy. “More than 50,000 people including traders, Pithus, pony wallhs, Palki wallahs, shopkeepers are directly and indirectly associated with the pilgrimage. The Shrine Board / Central Government must ensure that no livelihood will be affected at any cost by this project,” he demanded.Condemning the lathi charge on peaceful protesters in Katra, Bhalla described the incident as an undemocratic move to suppress public sentiment. “Congress fully supports the demands of the people of Katra. We stand with them in their fight to protect their rights and livelihood,” he affirmed. 

 Former MP Lal Singh said that unnecessary haste and repression being shown in the matter conveys a wrong message especially taking on board the concerns of livelihood of Pony-walas Pithu-walas, Palkiwalas, local traders, shopkeepers, transporters, vendors etc. and the religious aspects and sentiments. He also expressed concern over the hardships being faced by the visiting pilgrims due to the situation which emerged out at Katra. He reiterated the party stand that the authorities of the Shrine Board and administration take on board all the stake holders to find out a consensus situation over the issue, while the congress is not opposed to developmental aspects..

 Former Minister Yogesh Sawhney raised serious concerns over the problems and difficulties  faced by the people and traders of Katra town due to the agitation regarding the proposed ropeway project to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.He expressed concern that these developments are disrupting the peaceful pilgrimage experience for the thousands of devotees arriving from across the country and abroad. He asserted that the proposed ropeway project could severely impact the sanctity of the pilgrimage and disrupt the livelihoods of thousands dependent on the yatra. He urged the authorities to  resolve the issue through dialogue with all stakeholders, while appreciating the unconditional release of all detained leaders.