PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Tension that erupted at Nagrasu Gurdwara in Rudraprayag district continued on Monday as the standoff between Nihang Sikhs and the local administration entered its third day. Police detained two Nihangs when they came down from the terrace to collect food on Monday. Officials said that the Nihangs had pelted stones at the police during the incident. “The situation was, however, brought under control,” an officer said, adding that five Nihang Sikhs remained stationed on the terrace of the gurdwara following the altercation.
Speaking on the issue, the inspector general of police (IG), Garhwal, Rajeev Swaroop said, “The incident began following a dispute between the Nihang devotees and the management of the gurdwara where they were having langar. Following the argument, the management dialled 112, prompting an immediate response from the police. Upon seeing the police, some of the Nihang devotees panicked and locked themselves on the terrace of the building.”
He said that multiple rounds of dialogue were held with them. This is primarily an internal dispute between the gurdwara management and the visiting Nihang devotees. Significantly, the management members also belong to the Nihang community,” he added.
Queried on the Karnaprayag clash, IG Swaroop said that orders had been issued to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. “We are actively investigating who was behind the rumours spread on social media falsely linking this incident to the previous clash in Karnaprayag. This misinformation appears to have been spread deliberately to create confusion and disrupt the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatras,” he added.
It is learnt from the officials that Rudraprayag district magistrate Vishal Mishra and superintendent of police Niharika Tomar have been in constant communication with the Nihang Sikhs stationed on the gurdwara terrace through phone calls and a public address system. The officials urged them to remain calm, respect the law and accept a peaceful resolution of the stalemate.
As a precautionary measure, the district administration suspended internet services in a 15-kilometre area around the gurdwara. Security has been tightened in the area, and personnel from the ITBP, police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed. Authorities in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts have also imposed Section 163 in sensitive areas until June 27.
Notably, a clash had broken out on June 16 in Karnaprayag market of Chamoli district between Sikh pilgrims returning from the Hemkund Sahib Yatra and local residents. During the clash between local traders and Nihang pilgrims, sharp weapons had allegedly been used. Police had arrested four accused in connection with the incident. Of them, three were sent to Purasadi Jail in judicial custody after being produced before a court, while one accused remains under treatment in the police custody.
