Locals to move SC against closure of dhabas on Rohtang route

The residents of nine villages of upper Manali belt have decided to knock the door of Supreme Court against forest department's notice to close dhabas and roadside eating joints between Marhi and Kothi as per the orders of state high court.

The residents of nine villages of upper Manali belt have decided to knock the door of Supreme Court against forest department's notice to close dhabas and roadside eating joints between Marhi and Kothi as per the orders of state high court.

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Hundreds of villagers from Solang, Burwa, Palchan, Ruwar, Kulang, Shanag, Goshal and Majhach villages assembled at Palchan on Thursday to discuss the situation arising in the wake of HP high court's order to evict all private roadside dhabas beyond Kothi up to Rohtang.

Local BJP MLA Govind Singh Thakur, Congress leader and Zila Parishad chairman Hari Chand Sharma and social activist Dharamvir Dhami were also present. Addressing the villagers, Thakur said it was a serious matter as the means of livelihoods of locals were at stake. He said that tourists visiting Rohtang and Marhi will have to face great hardships in the absence of adequate number of food stalls in the area beyond Kothi till Rohtang Pass.

Hari Chand Sharma and Dhami also spokle on the occasion. Dhami said knocking the door of the Supreme Court have become necessary as the rights and interests of the locals were at stake.

The villagers decided that a delegation headed by zila parishad chairman Hari Chand Sharma will go to Shimla soon to consult the state government officials, while another delegation will leave for New Delhi to knock the door of Supreme Court India.

Meanwhile, tourists visiting Rohtang Pass on Thursday faced hardships in absence of dhabas and food stalls on the way. The dhaba owners had observed a shutdown as a mark of protest against the forest department's move to evicit them.