A serious standoff has gripped a gurudwara in Nagrasu, Uttarakhand, where five Nihang Sikhs have been holding the building's third and fourth floors for the past three to four days. The group is refusing to come down until four of their companions, arrested in connection with a recent sword-wielding episode, are released from custody. Police and district administration officials are stationed below, holding continuous talks with the barricaded Nihangs, but the deadlock has yet to be resolved.
The Incident That Set This Off
The current crisis has its roots in a sword-wielding incident that took place in Karnaprayag on June 16. Police arrested four Nihang Sikhs in connection with that episode. The remaining Nihangs, angered by these arrests, climbed to the upper floors of the gurudwara from Saturday onward and declared they would not leave until their fellow Nihangs were freed. This latest flare-up follows earlier tensions that had already been building in both Karnaprayag and Nagrasu.
Serious Allegations Against Those Barricaded Inside
The five Nihangs occupying the gurudwara face grave allegations. Reports indicate that during the standoff they took two of the gurudwara's sewadars hostage, subjecting them to verbal abuse and physical assault. The sewadars have since been released. Beyond this, there have been accounts of weapons being brandished inside the gurudwara premises, and bricks being thrown from the rooftop toward neighboring houses. These incidents have left the surrounding community gripped by fear and a deep sense of insecurity.
Government Transfers Probe, Punjab CM Steps In
As Sikh organizations and the minority commission turned up the pressure on the state government, the Dhami government responded with a significant administrative move, stripping the investigation from Chamoli police and handing it over to the Haridwar SSP. A cross FIR has also been registered against unidentified persons in the case. The allegation that Nihang Sikhs were produced before authorities without their dastar (turban) will be probed separately by a DIG-rank officer. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami about the matter.
Hemkund Sahib Pilgrimage Continues Without Disruption
Despite the turmoil in Karnaprayag and Nagrasu, the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib, one of Sikhism's most revered shrines, has continued without disruption. The shrine's doors opened on May 23, and exactly one month later, more than 1.27 lakh pilgrims have made the journey there. Over 5,000 devotees are arriving at the site every day. The regional controversy has had no visible impact on the flow of pilgrims heading to Hemkund Sahib.
