Nihang Sikh Standoff at Uttarakhand Gurdwara Enters Fourth Day

A tense standoff at Uttarakhand's Nagrasu Gurdwara entered its fourth day on Tuesday, with Nihang Sikhs armed with traditional weapons continuing their demand for the release of four sect members arrested after a clash.

According to ANI, efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis are continuing, with discussions underway among Nihang Sikhs while the administration closely monitors developments.

As of now, the situation in and around the gurdwara premises remains peaceful. Traffic on the National Highway is moving normally without any disruption, and drones are being used for surveillance.

A group of Nihang Sikhs has arrived at the gurdwara to persuade those staying inside to comply with authorities. Security forces remain deployed outside the shrine, ANI reported.

What happened?

The standoff began after a group of Nihangs allegedly entered the gurdwara and demanded the release of four members of the sect who were arrested following a clash in Chamoli on June 16.

According to PTI, the four Nihang devotees were arrested after an altercation over parking near a hotel in Karnaprayag market in Chamoli district.

The clash reportedly occurred when a group of Nihang pilgrims returning from Sri Hemkund Sahib allegedly got into a confrontation with locals, leaving four people injured.

Following the arrests, some Nihangs allegedly approached the Nagrasu gurdwara management seeking support for a protest against what they described as "one-sided action" by authorities.

The situation escalated on Saturday when 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 while raising slogans and 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.

Following 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.

Army arrives, internet services restored

Earlier, PTI reported that the Nihangs continued their protest as Army troops arrived in the town on Monday.

Police and ITBP personnel remained stationed at the site while authorities continued efforts to end the standoff.

The protesters have been demanding the release of the four Nihangs arrested after the Chamoli clash.

The situation also prompted a temporary suspension of internet services in parts of Rudraprayag district.

According to ANI, internet services were suspended amid concerns over possible law-and-order disturbances linked to tensions at the Nagrasu gurdwara. Services were restored after nearly 12 hours on Sunday.

ANI reported that this was only the third time since Uttarakhand's formation in 2000 that internet services were suspended to maintain law and order.

Gurdwara granthi alleges violence and vandalism

According to ANI, gurdwara granthi Baba Beant Singh alleged that the group, which had been provided shelter and food at the shrine, later turned violent, assaulted volunteers, damaged property and pelted stones at police personnel and local residents.

"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.