Massive violence broke out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra after the protestors pelted stones and clashed with the security forces during their protests against the proposed ropeway project along the trek route to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi atop Trikuta hills. 

Reports said that the protestors hurled stones at the security personnel and damaged a CRPF vehicle. Paramvir Singh, Reasi SSP told media that the protest was going on peacefully for the past three days but on Monday some protesters pelted stones at the security forces. 

In Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra, the shopkeepers and labourers on Sunday took out a protest rally on the third day of their strike and held a sit-in outside the office of the subdivisional magistrate and Shalimar Park in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine. 

A member of the joint committee of shopkeepers and pony and palanquin owners had said that the 72-hour strike has been extended by another 24 hours, adding that they will meet again and announce our future course of action. Notably, the three-day strike called by them began on Friday. 

Reports stated that while the businesses located at the base camp of Katra remained operational, shops lining the pilgrimage route from Ban Ganga to Charan Paduka observed closures. Nonetheless, the suspension of pony and palanquin services is causing hardships for the pilgrims, especially the elderly and differently-abled, to continue their sacred journey.

The residents have been complaining that the project would negatively impact the environment and their livelihoods. They asserted that the ropeway project would render them jobless, and also accused the authorities of pushing through the development without adequate consultation.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has assured the protestors of their employment. He mentioned that the committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner has been deliberating on the ropeway project and the rehabilitation of the locals. Furthermore, he also emphasised that the genuine concerns of the locals would be considered while the development of the region would not be ignored.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) had announced implementation of the long-awaited ropeway project to facilitate a safer and faster journey for the pilgrims. As per the project details, the ropeway will be developed with a cost of Rs 250 crore between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax GRAP IV measures in Delhi and ordered the CAQM to consider relaxing norms for students. The apex court observed that several students cannot avail midday meals, online classes and cannot access air purifiers.

The court also pulled up the Delhi Police over no checkpoints at the borders of the city for checking the pollution measures and said that it was a serious lapse. A bench headed by Justice AS Oka stated that they would consider prosecution of the Delhi Police Commissioner under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act for deploying police personnel at only 23 checkpoints, when Stage 4 of the GRAP was implemented.

Earlier, the court has also appointed 13 members from the court as commissioners to check whether the GRAP IV measures are being implemented or not. On Monday, the commissioners submitted their report to the court.

Subsequently, the court told the Delhi government that there were no checkposts at borders of the city and that the ban on trucks entering into the capital was not being followed properly.

The top court bench said that they were informed that no police or government personnel were present at the border checkpoints, and they were only manned by toll collection staff of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Mentioning that they will direct prosecution against all officials, the court questioned why the police were not directed to take action under Stage IV of the GRAP.

Responding, Advocate Shadan Farasat representing the Delhi government said that the CAQM had issued directions. Consecutively, the court asked him to show what written instructions were given by the state and the central government to the police on November 18. To this, Advocate Farasat said that directions were issued to post police personnel at 23 checkpoints where trucks could enter the city.

The court continued that this was negligence, adding that it will direct CAQM to prosecute the Delhi Police Commissioner.

Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, and his party colleague Iqbal Mahmood’s son Nawab Suhail Iqbal are among the 400 people who have been charged in the violence over the survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. Nearly 25 people were arrested for the violence which killed 4 people.

During a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on Sunday, Sambhal witnessed deadly clashes between the locals and the police. The Shahi Jama Masjid is at the centre of a contentious legal battle over claims that it was built on the site of a Hindu temple.

Reports said that the protesters also set some vehicles on fire and threw stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Considering the situation, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30.

Around 20 police personnel were also injured and a constable, who suffered an injury to the head, is said to be critical. Addressing a press conference, Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said that due to Ziaur Barq’s statement earlier, the situation became worse. He added they were identifying the protestors using drone footage and that the accused would be charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP today, saying the party was responsible for vitiating the situation.

The Congress leader said that the biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is extremely unfortunate. He expressed deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the violence and firing. He claimed that the administration’s insensitive action without listening to all parties further vitiated the situation and resulted in the death of many people, for which the BJP government is directly responsible.

Rahul Gandhi further said that the BJP’s use of power to create rift and discrimination between Hindu-Muslim communities is neither in the interest of the state nor the country. He also requested the Supreme Court to intervene in this matter as soon as possible and provide justice.

Earlier on Sunday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP, along with the state government and administration of orchestrating the violence.