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| High level Congress Team not allowed to enter Katra | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 1: 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.. |
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