Ropeway Project: Police book 10 protesters including 2 union leaders

Police in Katra have booked at least 10 persons, including two union leaders, for their involvement in violent clashes during a demonstration against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project. The protests turned violent when demonstrators pelted stones at deployed policemen, manhandled, and chased them away.
The arrested union leaders are Bupinder Singh Jamwal, president of the Pony and Pittuu Union, and Sohan Chand. Jamwal had recently contested the assembly polls from Vaishno Devi constituency.
A police official said that they utilized CCTV footage to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.
The Vaishno Devi Ropeway Project has sparked concerns among local shopkeepers and laborers, who fear it will reduce foot traffic in the market and negatively impact their businesses. However, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has assured that the genuine concerns of locals will be taken into account. [KNT]