Jammu Bans Tobacco Products in Katra to Preserve Religious Sanctity

The Jammu administration has banned the sale, possession, and consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products in Katra, the site of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. This initiative, effective from World No-Tobacco Day, aims to uphold the sanctity of the religious site visited by thousands of pilgrims daily.

In a significant move aimed at preserving the sanctity of the revered religious site, the Jammu administration has prohibited the sale, possession, and consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products in Katra. The decision coincides with World No-Tobacco Day.

Reasi District Magistrate Vishesh Mahajan revealed that the initiative is part of broader efforts to maintain the sanctity of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, a site frequented by lakhs of pilgrims each year. This new ban follows the existing prohibitions on meat and liquor sales in the area.

Mahajan further mentioned that the ban, enforced under Section 144, covers areas extending from Numaee and Panthal check posts to the Bhavan via Tara Court track. He emphasized that the primary goal is to keep the Katra base camp and its surrounding areas completely tobacco-free, enhancing the experience for the 30,000-40,000 daily visitors.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)