PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Culture, Irrigation and PWD minister Satpal Maharaj has expressed deep concern over the Karnprayag incident in which some Sikh pilgrims attacked the locals with swords on Tuesday. The minister said that the State government will not tolerate such acts of violence and hooliganism and strict action will be taken against the miscreants.
He said that the Char Dham Yatra and the Hem Kund Sahib Yatra are deeply associated with the State and its people. The minister said that the issue will be taken up in the upcoming meeting of the State cabinet. He accepted that such incidents give a wrong message and averred that every possible measure will be taken for a peaceful and smooth Char Dham and Hem Kund Sahib Yatra.
Pertinently, five persons were injured when an altercation between members of the Sikh community and the locals turned violent in Karnprayag on Tuesday morning. In the incident, the Sikhs pilgrims returning from Hemkund Sahib attacked locals with swords. After the attack the culprits tried to flee but were taken into custody by the Police.
Following the incident the angry locals blocked the Badrinath highway for hours causing inconvenience to the pilgrims. They demanded that those undertaking the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib should not be allowed to carry swords and other weapons. They also demanded measures to check rash driving and traffic violations by those undertaking the journey on two-wheelers.
