Katra, March 17 -- President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, Rakesh Wazir has cautioned that alcohol should be avoided as long as one is in Katra to maintain the sanctity of Mata Vaishno Devi.

His appeal came after socialite Orhan Awatramani, also known as Orry, and seven others were allegedly found consuming alcohol near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.

"Today, the position of the Katra is that it is (Alcohol) is banned here. Garlic and Onion are not used in the vegetables to maintain the sanctity of the Mata Vaishno Devi... Today, Indeed, they have consumed it (alcohol) inside the room, but despite that, as long as you are in Katra, you should take care of it (not take alcohol). This is our thinking", Wazir told ANI...