EARTH NEWS SERVICE Jammu, Dec 16 |15: Supporting the Katra bandh call given by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, Balwant Singh Mankotia State President NPP expressed solidarity with the agitating Ponywalas, pithus and Palkiwalas whose source of bread and butter was in jeopardy. Mankotia disclosed that in year 2010 when the new track from Banganga to Adhkuwari was under construction the SMVDSB authorities ensured the general public including Ponywalas, Pithus and Palkiwalas that the track would only be used for logistic purpose exclusively and shall not allow the yatra on the track. He said that since the Board had decided to resume the Battery Car services on the new track, the source of bread and butter of Ponywalas and Palkiwals and Pithus was facing a grave threat. Mankotia said if the new track was resumed for yatra services, it would render more than 50000 people hapless and jobless which would directly and indirectly aggravate the menace of unemployment the state was currently going through. He ensured the Ponywalas, Pithuwalas, Palkiwalas and Auto Rikshaw drivers that Panthers Party shall stand by them in all odds and circumstances and exhorted the Board authorities to review the decision in support of the people sitting on hunger strike for the last five days.
