Congress Intervention in Vaishno Devi Ropeway Protest

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress was prevented from visiting Katra to support the protest against the proposed ropeway project for the Vaishno Devi shrine. The protest, led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, includes a hunger strike demanding the release of detained protestors. The proposed project aims to provide easier access to the shrine.

A Congress team from Jammu and Kashmir was halted on Thursday by the police as they headed to Katra, intending to support the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti in their protest against a proposed ropeway project.

The protest, now in its second day, includes a shutdown in the Trikuta Hills and a hunger strike demanding the release of individuals detained during earlier demonstrations in Katra, a key location for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.

Police stopped the delegation led by J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla and ex-minister Yogesh Sawhney at the Ban toll plaza on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, sparking Bhalla's criticism of the authorities' handling of the peaceful protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)