Locals block Badrinath highway, pilgrimage resumes after temporary halt
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
At least five persons were left injured when a verbal altercation between members of the Sikh community and the locals escalated into violence in Karnprayag on Tuesday morning. The Sikhs returning from Hemkund Sahib used swords to attack the locals who retaliated with fists and stones. A group of angry locals blocked the Badrinath highway for hours and some also gheraoed the local police post causing the authorities to pause the pilgrimage to Badrinath temporarily. Out of the five injured, three were referred to higher centres including one who was airlifted due to the seriousness of his wounds.
According to sources, it is alleged that four members of the Sikh community returning from Hemkund Sahib had a verbal argument with the locals after a vehicle of the Sikhs was allegedly involved in a minor accident with the two-wheeler of a local. The two groups initially had an argument which soon turned violent. Videos of the incident going viral on social media show at least two Sikhs attacking the locals with swords. One of the visitors and four locals were injured in the altercation. The attackers reportedly fled from the scene of the incident but were later taken into custody by the police.Meanwhile, the angry locals gheraoed the local police post and blocked the Badrinath highway in protest, causing the authorities to halt the pilgrimage to Badrinath at Peepalkoti and Gauchar for a few hours. With the tension not subsiding, Chamoli district magistrate Gaurav Kumar and superintendent of police Surjit Singh Panwar reached the site to talk to the protesting locals. The locals 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. The authorities told the locals that strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the incident, adding that the demands of the locals will be considered. The locals then lifted the blockade of the highway, resulting in the resumption of traffic on the Badrinath highway. The DM stressed that the administration accords top priority to the safety of pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra and the local residents. Any attempted anarchy or actions that violate the law and order will not be tolerated, Kumar said, adding that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of such activities.
