Nihang-Uttarakhand Police Standoff Eases After Assurances of Fair Probe

A tense standoff between Nihang Sikhs and the Uttarakhand Police, which began last week following the arrest of four Nihangs for an alleged altercation in Chamoli, has de-escalated after the group agreed to step back following assurances from authorities.

The incident traces back to June 16 in Karnaprayag, Chamoli district, where a verbal dispute between Nihang pilgrims returning from Hemkund Sahib Yatra and local traders escalated. According to police, four Nihangs allegedly attacked a local trader and others with swords, injuring four people. An FIR was lodged, and the four were arrested and sent to judicial custody.

In response, on June 20, a group of Nihangs occupied the rooftop of a gurdwara in Nagarasu, Rudraprayag, demanding the release of the arrested members. The occupation lasted until June 23 after mediation. Subsequently, a larger Nihang jatha marched from Mohali to the Uttarakhand-Himachal border, arriving at Paonta Sahib Gurdwara on June 25.

The situation eased after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assigned the probe to Haridwar SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar, assuring a fair and impartial investigation within 15 days. Delegations from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, facilitated dialogue. The arrested individuals remain in custody pending the investigation.

Both sides have urged calm. The Nihangs have expressed concerns over alleged bias in the initial police action, while authorities emphasize the need for due process. The incident highlights tensions between local communities and religious pilgrim groups, underscoring the importance of maintaining law and order with sensitivity.