SRINAGAR: The ongoing shutdown in Katra, the base camp for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, intensified on Monday as family members of 18 detained Sangharsh Samiti leaders joined the protests. Youths continued their hunger strike, demanding the immediate release of those arrested by police during the demonstrations.
Led by Shivani Jamwal, the wife of detained Samiti leader Bhupinder Singh, several women family members of the detained leaders threatened self-immolation if their loved ones were not released.
Shivani Jamwal told reporters she had met her husband and other detained leaders, who have been in custody since 25th December. She said the detainees’ health has significantly deteriorated, with many losing several kilogrammes. “They are in a bad state of health,” Jamwal said, adding that their condition worsens daily.
Shivani criticised political parties for exploiting the situation. “They come here to play politics but have failed to secure the release of our loved ones.” She urged the Lieutenant Governor and the administration to intervene, stating that some detainees have severe health conditions requiring immediate attention.
The bandh, now in its sixth consecutive day, has brought the holy town to a standstill. All shops, restaurants, and businesses remain closed, and vehicular traffic is off the roads. The shutdown has disrupted life in one of the busiest pilgrimage hubs, with thousands of pilgrims arriving daily to visit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Reports indicate a drop in the number of devotees due to the protests.
The Sangharsh Samiti announced the extension of the bandh until 1st January 2025, vowing to continue the fight against the government’s proposed ropeway project. “This is a battle for survival and dignity and for ensuring that the traditional route to Mata’s shrine remains intact,” a Samiti spokesperson said.
The spokesperson accused the government of worsening the situation by refusing to release the detainees or engage in meaningful dialogue. Meanwhile, five youths have been on a hunger strike since Wednesday night, demanding the release of the detained leaders.
In a rare display of unity, BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma and former Congress minister Jugal Kishore Sharma shared the stage in support of the Sangharsh Samiti, setting aside their political differences. Their joint presence was seen as a symbolic gesture of solidarity for the ongoing agitation.
The proposed ₹250-crore Vaishno Devi ropeway project, announced last month by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, aims to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat to facilitate access to the shrine for senior citizens, children, and others who find the 13-km track challenging to climb.
The Sangharsh Samiti, however, opposes the project, claiming it will affect the livelihood of local residents and disrupt the sanctity of the traditional pilgrimage route. (KNO)
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