Jammu, Jan 1: The pilgrims visiting to pay obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine heaved a sigh of relief after the week-long shutdown was suspended and normal life resumed on Wednesday in Katra town of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The agitation was suspended following the release of the 18 members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti detained during the protests last week.

The reopening of shops, eateries, hotels, and other business establishments brought respite to the pilgrims in Katra—the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine.

Spearheaded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, the Katra shutdown call was given on December 25 to protest against the installation of a ropeway project from Katra to Sanjhichhat claiming that it will affect their trade and snatch the livelihood of thousands of shopkeepers operating on 13-km long track, ponywalas, pithu, and palki operators.

The Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Zone Anand Jain along with other representatives of the Shrine Board and the administration, late on Tuesday evening held detailed deliberations with the protestors.

The detained persons were released at midnight and it was also decided to hold fresh dialogue with the Sangharsh Samiti and civil society members.

“The strike has been suspended after talks with the administration and normal life has limped back in Katra town with the reopening of all business establishments,” said a member of Sangharsh Samiti.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board last month announced installation of Rs 250 crore ropeway connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanjichhat to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, divyang, physically challenged, children, and others who find it challenging to climb the track to the cave shrine.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Wednesday said that 94.83 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance in the year 2024 at the Shrine.

UNI