PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stressed that nobody is above the law and that the State government will take strict action against violations of the law. He said this while responding to media queries regarding the recent incidents in Karnprayag and Nagrasu involving some Nihang Sikhs. Meanwhile, as a number of Nihang Sikhs gathered at Paonta Sahib Gurudwara in Himachal Pradesh near the border with Uttarakhand on Thursday evening, officials of the administration from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were also present to hold talks with them. The authorities put in place heavy security arrangements along the interstate borders with Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to prevent any untoward incident after some Nihang Sikhs announced that they will congregate at Karnprayag. On the other hand, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leaders and locals gathered at the Gulabrai Ground in Rudraprayag demanding legal action against anyone violating the law under the guise of pilgrimage.
On June 16, five Nihangs armed with swords had an altercation with locals at Karnprayag in Chamoli district. Five persons including one of the Sikhs were injured in the clash after which the police arrested the accused Nihangs. On June 20, some Nihangs had a dispute with the management of the Nagrasu Gurudwara and barricaded themselves on the fourth floor of the building while taking two Sewadars hostage. The standoff was resolved on the fourth day. These incidents were amplified by social media, following which Dhami stressed on Thursday that nobody is above the law. He said that the government may consider preparing standard operating procedures to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile UKD leaders and locals gathered in Rudraprayag and gave the State government a one-week ultimatum seeking action on their demands. Their demands include prohibiting persons using modified two-wheeler silencers from undertaking pilgrimage, legal action against anyone carrying any type of weapon on pilgrimage, prohibiting triple-riding on two-wheelers by those undertaking pilgrimage, legal action against those involved in the Nagrasu standoff and withdrawal of cases against the locals in Karnprayag. They have warned of calling a State bandh if these demands are not met.
