PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Jyotirmath
Several locals, including hotel staffers, were injured when a minor altercation escalated into a violent brawl involving some pilgrims in Karnaprayag on Tuesday. Although the incident happened in a hotel, the Badrinath National Highway remained blocked as the locals staged demonstration, demanding action against the accused.
Police informed that things had started with an argument over the quality of the food served to some pilgrims belonging to the Sikh community at a hotel in Karnaprayag located along Badrinath NH. The dispute, however, turned soon into fisticuffs. Locals alleged that some of the agitated pilgrims had attacked the hotel staffers with sharp weapons, leaving at least one of the latter seriously injured.
As the news spread, locals gathered at the scene and blocked the NH. The blockage resulted in long queues of vehicles stuck up on both sides of the highway, causing significant inconvenience to the travellers, particularly the pilgrims on their way to Badrinath Dham.
Upon receiving information of the incident, police and administration teams arrived and attempted to control the situation. Police sent the injured to the hospital for treatment, while an investigation has been launched.
Locals warned that if strict action is not taken against the accused soon, they would intensify their protest. Currently, a tense calm prevails in the area, and police are monitoring the situation.
