12 hurt, 8 detained in clashes
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Katra town-base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine-on Thursday observed complete shutdown following clashes between police and protesting traders and detention of eight persons.
Nearly 12 people including police personnel got injured while eight protesters were detained when police-traders clashed near Ban Ganga.
Police said that local traders were protesting against Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for undertaking work on New Ban Ganga-Tarakota-Adh Kuwari track, the opening of which they were opposing.
He said that the authorities have imposed Section 144 of CrPC near the construction site to prevent anybody from disrupting the ongoing developmental work, adding, “Protesting local traders this evening, marched towards the site but police prevented and foiled their bid following which mild clash took place.”
According to an eye witness, police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse them.
However, a senior police officer said that it was only a mild clash broke out with protestors, adding that around 8 of them have also been detained as preventive measure for creating law and order problem in the town where pilgrims from across the country visit to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine.
“The protestors however, staged protest while entire Katra observed shutdown against the Shrine Board,” said an eye witness.
Meanwhile, on 15th February, protesting shopkeepers and traders suspended their strike after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who assured them early redressal of their grievances.
Protesting traders were demanding that the new track should be used only for loading and unloading purpose but not for pilgrimage by devotees.
“The new track is ready for operation and it will cater devotees performing pilgrimage on foot,” an official here said.
He said that neither battery car service will be provided on new track nor it will be used by mule operators, adding, “the track will be thrown open only for devotees going to Bhawan on foot besides pithus will be allowed to cater them.”
He further said that the New Ban Ganga-Tarakota-Adh Kuwari track is having 8.5 kilometres stretch from Army Camp, Darshani Deodi and it will be of helpful in meeting the rush especially during occasions like Navratras.
Ten-member committee was also constituted and they were asked to submit charter of demands to the District SSP and Deputy Commissioner and matter to be taken up with the Shri Mata Vasihno Devi Shrine Board authorities for needful action.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra is the chairman of the Shrine Board.
Last year, Baridars and traders went on strike in protest against opening of new track but the strike was called off on government’s assurance of addressing the issue at the earliest.
