A tense standoff between a group of Nihangs and local authorities at Gurdwara Langar Damdama Sahib in Uttarakhand's Nagrasu continued for the third day on Monday, with the Rudraprayag district administration describing the situation as 'tense, but under control.'
Armed Nihangs Occupy Gurdwara Premises
Armed with spears and swords, the Nihangs have forcibly occupied the rooftop and upper floors of the gurdwara located on the Badrinath highway. They are demanding the release of four other Nihang pilgrims arrested after a clash with locals in Karnaprayag on June 16 over a parking dispute. Those arrested, from Mohali, allegedly attacked locals with swords, injuring four people.
The gurdwara is under heavy police cover, and the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNS until June 27. Internet services, earlier suspended in sensitive areas of Chamoli and Rudraprayag to prevent unrest, were resumed on Monday.
Officials Engage in Talks
Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra and Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar are in touch with the Nihangs to defuse the crisis. Speaking to The Tribune, Tomar refuted reports of Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, or other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) deployment around the gurdwara. 'Only the local police have been taking care of the security aspect. CAPF personnel have been allocated by the Centre to all Uttarakhand districts for the Chardham Yatra,' she said.
Seven Nihangs were part of the group, three of whom reportedly climbed down over the past 24 hours.
Gurdwara Management Alleges Vandalism
District Magistrate Mishra said the gurdwara affairs were 'functioning peacefully,' with prayers, langar service, and devotee movement continuing without disruption. He appealed to the public not to spread or believe rumors on social media. However, shrine caretakers accused the Nihangs of being aggressive, taking control of the premises, assaulting volunteers, vandalizing property, and hurling stones at police and locals.
Local activist Tribhuvan Chauhan said the situation had eased somewhat but tensions would continue until the Nihangs vacate. 'There is no hostage situation. The Nihangs have released a few individuals who were earlier in their custody. However, the dispute between the Nihangs and the gurdwara management remains unresolved,' he said.
Gurdwara granthi Baba Beant Singh said the situation escalated on the morning of June 21 when the Nihangs clashed with volunteers. 'We tried to persuade them to leave peacefully. When they noticed police presence outside, they thought they would be arrested and climbed to the upper floors. They damaged the walls and began throwing stones at the police and people gathered outside,' he said.
The Nihangs arrived at the gurdwara on June 20 and allegedly created disturbance by misbehaving with volunteers. Despite the tension, the gurdwara authorities allowed them to stay overnight and provided food.
