Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 17: Up in arms against alleged dictatorial attitude of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board over the issues of erstwhile Baridars and alleged opening new route for pilgrimage to the Shrine, Katra town observed a complete shut down, here today.
All business establishments remained closed while commercial vehicles as well as Pithuwalas also did not operate with the result that visiting pilgrims had to face many hardships.
The protesting people held a strong protest demonstration and raised slogans against the Shrine Board as well as in support of their demands, which include share to Baridars in the Shrine Board, allowing yatra only on traditional route and also compensation to those whose land was acquired for establishing Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
The protesting businessmen claimed the Shrine Board had guaranteed them that the newly constructed route connecting Katra with Adhkwari would be used only during emergency but there were clear indications that this track is being opened for the pilgrimage soon.
The bandh was called off in the evening after Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh assured the protesting businessmen and Baridars that all their issues would be taken up with the Shrine Board for positive consideration.
Earlier, under the banner of Shri Vaishno Devi Sewa Committee Baridaran (SVDSCB), hundreds of Baridaran members assembled at Katra Main Chowk and staged massive protest demonstration against State Government and the Shrine Board for their forcibly exile for the last 30 years. The protesting Baridars were also joined by a number of businessmen and locals.
Addressing the protesters, Sher Singh, president of Shri Vaishno Devi Sewa Committee Baridaran, accused the Government and Shrine Board of befooling Katra people and real Sewadars of Mata Vaishno Devi.
He informed that 30,000 souls of Baridars were totally dependent upon the offerings of the shrine to meet their day to day needs but since constitution of the Board all these people were now finding it difficult to feed their families. He claimed that the members of Baridaran were not even allowed to perform darshan of the deity.
He demanded that the Government should share development of Board with native Baridaran by giving 50 per cent reservation in jobs, scholarships to children of Baridars accruing educations, seats for wards of Baridars in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and other educational institutes run by the Shrine Board, new school for children of Baridars at par with central schools and free treatment at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.
Sher Singh also appealed Governor to close all routes and only maintain traditional Banganga-Charanpaduka- Adhkwari-Hathi Matha- Shanji Chaat- Bhawan.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s assurance to address the grievances of the erstwhile Baridars, Sher Singh said that it’s high time for BJP Government to introduce bill in the Assembly and solve issues of erstwhile Baridars of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The protest demonstration was also addressed by Pt Shanker Sass, Ved Pujari, Chhanker Singh, Vijay Sanmotra, Rattan Lamaberdar, Kuldeep Singh and others.
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