Jammu, Nov 27: Police on Wednesday registered an FIR and started investigation in connection with the violent protests against the ropeway project in Katra town–the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine–in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have registered an FIR to investigate the matter and booked those provoked and instigated the protestors that led to clashes,” police said.

Police however, denied the arrests of leaders of Mazdoor Union Katra namely Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand Anthal.

Meanwhile Congress Chief Spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma said, “two Union leaders were detained by the police but were released after our delegation met the Divisional Commissioner Jammu in his office.”

The Congress leaders later visited Katra and met with the traders and shopkeepers who are opposing the ropeway project from Katra to Bhawan.

A policeman suffered injuries on Tuesday when protestors clashed with the security forces during an agitation against a proposed ropeway project from Katra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

The strike was called off by the Mazdoor Union Katra till December 15 after assurance by the district administration to hold negotiations for finding out a feasible way out to resolve the matter, Union leaders said.

Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Visheshpal Mahajan had said that talks with the higher authorities will be initiated to find a middle path to amicably settle the matter.

Speaking to reporters over the incident at the sidelines of an event in Jammu on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the concerns of the people about loss of employment are being taken care of.

Sinha is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

He however, said that there would be no compromise with development projects and creating sufficient employment opportunities.

Hundreds of traders and labourers including pony and palanquin owners took out a protest march in Katra town and staged a sit-in at Fountain Chowk as a part of their 72-hour long strike announced on November 22, which was extended for a day on Sunday evening.

There was a Law and order problem on Monday when a CRPF vehicle attempted to pass through the town during the agitation, said police.

They added that some of the protestors turned violent and damaged the vehicle.

Demanding the shutdown of the project or compensation for those likely to be affected, the protests erupted in Katra town after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced the proposed ropeway project between Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat. The Rs 250 Crore Project is of 12-kilometer route.

UNI