- By BRIJESH BHATT
- Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Nihangs stormed Rudraprayag gurdwara, holding a Sikh devotee hostage.
- Demanding release of members arrested after Chamoli parking clash.
- Police negotiating, internet suspended, one hostage released in Rudraprayag.
Jagran Correspondent, Rudraprayag: A group of seven to eight Nihangs, armed with spears and swords, stormed a gurdwara here and took a Sikh devotee hostage on the roof of the building on Saturday. According to the police officials, they were demanding the release of four members of the sect who were arrested following a clash in Chamoli on June 16.
What happened at the Rudraprayag Gurudwara?
A clash broke out on June 16 over parking near a hotel in Karnaprayag market. The group were returning from Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara when it got into a verbal spat with locals at the market. The pilgrims allegedly attacked the other group with swords, injuring four locals. A Nihang was also injured in the clash.
Consequently, four Nihangs, all from Mohali, Punjab, were arrested. Later, some Nihangs approached the managers of the Nagrasu gurdwara, appealing to them to support their protest, which was to be held on Sunday, against the "one-sided action" in the Karnaprayag incident.
Nihangs asked for 50-60 rooms to house protestors
According to Rudrapryag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra , the Nihangs have locked the third floor leading to the terrace where they have been holding an elderly Sikh man hostage. The gurdwara management said the Nihangs had asked for "50-60 rooms" to house protesters who would come for a demonstration against the arrest of four members of their sect over a clash in Karnaprayag, Chamoli.
When the gurdwara failed to do it, the Nihangs resorted to violence, warning the authorities against any forceful action against them, they said. According to the police, the Nihangs engaged in vandalism and then took the Sikh man who was at the gurdwara to the rooftop and started raising slogans. They are armed with spears, swords, axes, and kirpans, they said. Mishra said, "An internal dispute took place inside the gurudwara.
Heavy police deployment, internet suspended
A heavy police force was deployed at the site following the standoff that began Saturday evening and is still on, even though the district administration on Sunday said the situation is fully under control and peaceful. An officer said police are parleying with a Nihang member about ending the hostage situation.
Several rounds of talks have been held between the administration and the Nihangs, but no concrete solution has been reached. However, on Sunday, the Nihangs released a servant they had held hostage.
In order to maintain peace and harmony, the district administration has imposed a ban on the internet till 5 pm.
Top police official present at clash site
As per Dainik Jagran, SDM Gairsain Abrar Ahmed and CO Karnaprayag Hoshiyaar Singh Pangti, along with police and paramilitary forces, remained stationed in the Gairsain area. Vehicles entering the Chamoli district border were also checked throughout the day.
Rudraprayag DM and Superintendent of Police Neharika Tomar have been on the scene since the incident, and negotiations are underway between the Gurdwara Management Committee and the Nihangs in the presence of the administration. Officials have appealed to all parties to maintain peace and restraint.
"The police, district administration, and the Gurudwara management committee are in constant dialogue with the Nihang Sikhs, attempting to understand their concerns and find a solution," news agency PTI quoted Rudraprayag SP Niharika Tomar as saying . "The talks have yielded positive results; one of the Nihangs has come down from the roof to speak with the administration and police, and dialogue with the remaining individuals is ongoing," she said.