Katra ropeway row: FIR against 8 for provoking agitators, instigating violence | India News

The 4-day protests against the proposed ropeway project in Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra town in Jammu’s Reasi district were suspended on Tuesday after talks between the government and the protesters.

JAMMU: J&K Police registered an FIR against eight people Tuesday for provocation and instigating violence, a day after protests against the proposed ropeway project in Katra town — the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in J&K’s Reasi district — left a cop injured and some police vehicles damaged.
Police said an investigation had been launched but denied reports of the detention of two Katra Mazdoor Union leaders, Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand Anthal, who had allegedly spearheaded Monday’s protests.
After sustained talks with officials, Union leader Bhupinder Singh and Reasi deputy commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan late Tuesday jointly announced the suspension of the four-day-long agitation till Dec 15.
Union leaders said the district administration had assured them of holding negotiations to find a feasible solution to resolve the issue, while Lt Guv Manoj Sinha has also promised to look into the concerns of stakeholders, including Shrine Board officials.
“A police team was performing law and order duty at Fountain Chowk, Katra, in view of the ongoing protests against the installation of the ropeway at Tarakote in Katra by the Shrine Board,” stated the FIR, adding: “During the demonstration, the protesters wrongfully blocked the road, obstructing vehicular movement and causing hindrance to the free passage of yatris.”
The protesters also damaged some vehicles at Fountain Chowk after abetment by “protest leaders”, the FIR said. Following this, Bhupinder Singh Jamwal alias Pinku Miya, Sohan Chand and Maqbool among others were booked for provocation and instigating violence.