India
Katra Cable Car Row: FIR against 8 for provoking agitators and inciting violence | India News – Times of India
The four-day protests against the proposed ropeway project at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra town of Reasi district of Jammu were suspended on Tuesday following talks between the government and the protesters.
Police said an investigation had been launched but denied reports of the arrest of two Katra Mazdoor Union leaders, Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand Anthal, who had reportedly led Monday’s protests.
After lengthy discussions with officials, union leader Bhupinder Singh and Reasi Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan late Tuesday jointly announced the suspension of the four-day agitation till December 15.
Union leaders said the district administration had assured them of holding negotiations to find a viable solution to resolve the issue, while Lt. Gen. Manoj Sinha also promised to look into the concerns of stakeholders, including Shrine Board officials .
“A police team was maintaining law and order at Fountain Chowk, Katra, in view of the ongoing protests against the installation of cable car at Tarakote in Katra by the Shrine Board,” the FIR said, adding, “During the demonstration the protesters unjustly blocked the road, obstructing the movement of vehicles and impeding the free passage of yatris.”
The protesters also damaged some vehicles at Fountain Chowk following support from “protest leaders”, the FIR said. Following this, Bhupinder Singh Jamwal alias Pinku Miya, Sohan Chand and Maqbool, among others, were booked for provocation and incitement to violence.
