NEW DELHI: Authorities have prohibited the sale, possession, and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food in Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. The prohibition, effective from Wednesday, also extends to the 12-kilometre track leading to the holy cave on Trikuta hill and surrounding areas, officials said.
Katra Subdivisional Magistrate Piyush Dhotra issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The ban includes items such as eggs, chicken, mutton, and seafood and will remain in effect for two months unless revoked earlier.
The prohibition applies to villages within two kilometers on both sides of the pilgrimage track and within 200 meters of key roads, including Katra-Jammu road and Katra-Reasi road. Areas such as Chamba, Serli, Bhagta, Kundrorian, Kotli Bajallian, Nomain, and Maghal villages, as well as the railway station and Panthal-Domail road, are also covered under the order.
