- By Brijesh Bhatt
- Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:03 PM (IST)
- Source:Brijesh Bhatt
The dispute arising due to the occupation of Gurdwara Damdama Sahib located at Nagarasu on the Badrinath Highway by Nihangs remained unresolved even on the third day.
Despite all the efforts of the administration, police and ITBP, four Nihangs remained on the roof of the Gurudwara even on Monday.
However, the police managed to detain one Nihang when he came downstairs to get food, while another managed to escape as their associates on the rooftop pelted the stones as cover.
According to eyewitnesses, at around 11 am, two Nihangs came down with weapons to take food. The police caught him, while his companion ran away and reached the roof again.
Nihangs are reportedly demanding to be sent to Punjab by helicopter. Earlier, late Sunday night, two Nihangs had come down on their own and apologised to the police before leaving for Punjab.
Why Nihangs have climbed atop Gurudwara
On June 16, in Karnaprayag, a dispute between local residents and Nihangs over parking resulted in the Nihangs attacking local residents with swords, injuring four people. The police swiftly arrested four of the accused.
The Nihangs allege that no objection was lodged by the local Gurdwara management in this matter, due to which they are dissatisfied.
As a result, seven Nihangs arrived at the Gurdwara on Saturday afternoon and, after a scuffle with the attendants, took over the upper floor. They climbed onto the roof and began brandishing swords. The Nihangs remained at the Gurdwara on Sunday as well. They are demanding the release of the Nihangs arrested after the Karnaprayag incident. The police said they have spears, swords, axes, and kirpans (ceremonial daggers).
The Nihangs present at the Gurdwara have warned that they will not come down until their demands are met. As a result, tension prevailed throughout the day within the Gurdwara complex. A large number of police and ITBP personnel were deployed within the complex for security purposes.