SRINAGAR: The agitation against the proposed Katra ropeway project was suspended Tuesday night on its seventh day following a breakthrough agreement between the Government and the Sangharsh Samiti. The decision brought a temporary reprieve to the paralysed town, which has been at the centre of protests over concerns about the project’s potential impact on Katra’s religious and economic landscape, Jammu newspaper Daily Excelsior reported.
As part of the agreement, the Divisional Administration unconditionally released all 18 detained members of the Sangharsh Samiti, including Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, who had been held in Reasi and Udhampur jails. The detained individuals were prominent figures in the protest, which had brought together traders, porters, and locals demanding a halt to the ropeway construction.
The administration has pledged that work on the controversial project will remain stalled until further discussions are held with the Sangharsh Samiti by a panel constituted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This panel, which includes members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, is expected to address the religious and economic concerns of the local population in upcoming meetings.
Ramesh Kumar, the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, confirmed the details of the agreement at a press briefing in Katra. Bali Ram Rana, Chairman of the Sangharsh Samiti, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The resolution came after intervention from Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, who raised the issue with the Central Government. The involvement of senior BJP leaders and local MLAs also played a pivotal role in reaching the agreement.
