NEW DELHI: A protest against a ropeway project near the Vaishno Devi shrine turned violent on Monday after protesters including pony and palanquin owners clashed with police at the Katra base camp in J&K’s Reasi district, leaving one police official injured.
The protesters decided to extend their initial 72-hour strike by an additional 24 hours on Sunday evening.
The protest was triggered after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced to Rs 250 crore ropeway system connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre pathway.
Local business owners and workers are concerned that the two-year construction project would eliminate their source of income.
Tensions escalated on Monday when protesters obstructed a CRPF vehicle attempting to pass through the demonstration area and damaged the vehicle’s windscreen.
Following police intervention to withdraw the vehicle, some protesters began pelting bricks at law enforcement officers.
“The law and order situation has become challenging and we are trying to handle it. Officers are in talks with the protesters to resolve the issue,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi) Paramvir Singh.
The demonstrators are seeking either the cancellation of the project or financial compensation for affected individuals.
