Nihangs Occupy Uttarakhand Gurdwara Over Karnaprayag Clash Arrests

Tensions have escalated in Uttarakhand following an incident where a group of Nihang Sikhs allegedly stormed and occupied a gurdwara in Nagrasu, Rudraprayag district. The group is reportedly holding the gurdwara manager, or a sevadar, hostage on the premises, demanding the immediate release of fellow Nihang members who were arrested after a violent clash in Karnaprayag on June 16. The initial confrontation, which occurred on Tuesday, June 16, in Karnaprayag, Chamoli district, involved Nihang Sikh pilgrims returning from the revered Hemkund Sahib Yatra and local traders. The dispute reportedly began over a minor argument concerning vehicle parking near a hotel in the Karnaprayag market. The altercation quickly escalated, with some Nihang pilgrims allegedly attacking locals with swords and other sharp weapons, injuring several individuals. Reports indicate that four locals were injured, with one seriously wounded person airlifted to a hospital in Dehradun. Following the clash, four Nihang pilgrims from Punjab's Mohali district were arrested by Chamoli Police. The occupation of the Nagrasu Gurdwara, also referred to as Gurudwara Damdama Sahib or Gurudwara Langar Dham Saheb in some reports, began on Saturday evening, June 20. According to police, the Nihangs allegedly entered the gurdwara, vandalised parts of the premises, and took the manager and/or sevadars hostage. While some reports initially mentioned two sevadars being held, one was later released, with an elderly devotee or the manager remaining captive, often described as being on the roof. The group is reported to be armed with traditional weapons, including spears, swords, axes, and kirpans. The Nihangs' primary demand is the release of their members arrested in connection with the Karnaprayag incident. Gurdwara manager Beant Singh stated that the occupying group is not affiliated with any registered Sikh organisation and has spread fear among devotees and locals. He also alleged that they damaged the solar power system, cut the water supply, and used abusive language. Some sources suggest the Nihangs were upset with the gurdwara management for not publicly supporting their position regarding the Karnaprayag incident and for refusing to accompany them to file a counter-complaint. In response to the escalating situation, the Uttarakhand government has taken swift action. State Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli ordered a fair and transparent inquiry into the Karnaprayag dispute, directing the Inspector General of Police (Garhwal) to investigate the matter thoroughly. Bagauli emphasised that it would be inappropriate to frame the initial clash as a religious dispute and warned against attempts to give it a communal colour. He appealed to all parties to maintain restraint and rely on legal mechanisms. A heavy police force, including personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), has been deployed around the Nagrasu Gurdwara. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra and Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar are present at the site, attempting to negotiate with the Nihangs to persuade them to come down and end the standoff. Negotiations have, so far, yielded limited progress, with the Nihangs reportedly refusing to engage in dialogue and warning security personnel against entry. As a precautionary measure, internet services have been temporarily suspended in the affected area, and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (prohibiting public gatherings) has been imposed in sensitive areas of Chamoli and Rudraprayag until June 27 to prevent further unrest and maintain law and order. The incident is particularly concerning as it coincides with the annual pilgrimage season to Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh shrine located in the Himalayas. The affected areas lie along the main pilgrimage route, raising worries about the impact on thousands of devotees. Officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the pilgrimage remains unaffected while striving to restore normalcy in the region. The sequence of events highlights a complex situation involving an initial parking dispute escalating into violence, followed by a retaliatory gurdwara occupation. Authorities are focused on de-escalation, legal inquiry, and maintaining communal harmony in the pilgrimage state. Local Sikhs have also expressed concerns about the conduct of the Nihangs, with some reports even suggesting the Nihangs were under the influence of 'bhaang' (an intoxicant). This incident underscores the challenges in managing religious tourism and maintaining law and order, especially when disparate groups are involved and emotions run high. The ongoing efforts by district administration and police aim to resolve the hostage situation peacefully and address the underlying grievances while upholding the rule of law. The government's emphasis on a fair investigation into the Karnaprayag clash and its caution against communalising the issue are crucial steps in ensuring stability in the region.

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