RUDRAPRAYAG: A tense standoff between the administration and a group of Nihangs armed with spears, swords and other weapons continued for over 40 hours at a gurdwara in Nagrasu, even as Army troops reached the town on Monday, officials said, according to news agency PTI.The standoff began after a group of Nihangs allegedly stormed into the gurdwara and demanded the release of four members of the sect who were arrested following a clash in Chamoli on June 16.
Chamoli clash that triggered Nagrasu crisis
According to PTI, the four Nihang devotees were arrested after an altercation over parking near a hotel in Karnaprayag market in Chamoli.The clash took place when a group of Nihang pilgrims returning after offering prayers at Sri Hemkund Sahib allegedly got into a confrontation with locals, during which four people were injured.Following the arrests, some Nihangs allegedly approached the Nagrasu gurdwara management seeking support for a protest against what they called “one-sided action”.
Hostage drama
The situation escalated on Saturday when a group of around eight Nihangs allegedly stormed the gurdwara, took a devotee and a sevadar hostage and barricaded themselves on the third floor of the shrine.PTI reported that the group, armed with sharp weapons including spears, swords, axes and kirpans, remained on the roof of the gurdwara and raised slogans while demanding the release of the four arrested Nihangs.A heavy deployment of police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel was made around the shrine to maintain law and order.
Hostages released, deadlock continues
After negotiations with senior officials, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, the devotee was released on Saturday, while the sevadar was freed on Sunday evening, a police officer told TOI.Garhwal IG Rajeev Swaroop said the standoff was triggered by a dispute between the Nihangs and the gurdwara management committee during langar.“The incident happened following a clash between the Nihangs and members of the gurdwara management committee during langar (community kitchen) on Saturday,” Swaroop said.“The Nihangs’ dispute was strictly with the management committee, not with local residents or the police. The situation is completely under control, and we urge the public not to spread misinformation on social media,” he added.
Army steps in
Meanwhile, PTI reported that officials said the Nihangs continued their protest, with Army troops arriving in the town on Monday.Police and ITBP personnel remained deployed at the site as authorities continued efforts to resolve the standoff.The Nihangs were demanding the release of the four members of the sect arrested after the Chamoli clash.
Internet services restored
The situation also led to a temporary suspension of internet services in parts of Rudraprayag district.According to ANI, internet services were suspended after concerns over possible law-and-order disturbances following tensions at the Nagrasu gurdwara. Services were restored after nearly 12 hours on Sunday.ANI reported that this was only the third instance since Uttarakhand’s formation in 2000 when internet services were suspended for maintaining law and order.
Gurdwara granthi alleges violence, vandalism
According to ANI, gurdwara granthi Baba Beant Singh alleged that the group which was provided shelter and food at the shrine later turned violent, assaulted volunteers, damaged the premises and pelted stones at police personnel and locals.“They came here and started fighting. They started beating and abusing the volunteers. Even then, we let them stay overnight and provided them with food. They started fighting with us again the next morning. Still, we tried to reason with them and make them leave,” ANI quoted Singh as saying.He further alleged that the group cut off the water supply to the gurdwara premises, damaged solar panels installed on the building and continued vandalising the property.
Administration denies takeover
Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, however, denied reports that the gurdwara had been taken over or that anyone was being held hostage.Speaking to ANI, Mishra said, “A dispute erupted at a Gurdwara in Nagrasu between Nihang Sikhs, the Gurdwara management and the Sikh sevadars who live there. The Ardaas, Langar and prayers at the Gurdwara are all running smoothly and peacefully. The movement of people through the Gurdwara is also continuing normally. No one is facing any problems.” “Don’t pay attention to rumours that the Gurdwara has been taken over, that someone has been taken hostage, or that any violence has occurred. No such incident has taken place. The Gurdwara’s management committee is operating in a completely peaceful environment. There are no problems of any kind,” he added.
Standoff remains unresolved despite talks
While the hostages have been released and authorities have maintained that the situation is under control, tensions continue as Nihangs remain at the shrine demanding the release of the four arrested members.The administration continues to maintain security arrangements at Nagrasu as officials work towards a resolution.(With agency inputs)
