Two days after the amicable settlement of a tense standoff at Gurudwara Langar Damdama Sahib in Nagrasu, Rudraprayag district, a jatha of Nihang Sikhs left for Uttarakhand from Gurudwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana, Mohali district, on Thursday to intervene in the Karnaprayag clash case.
Background of the Clash
On June 16, a parking altercation in Karnaprayag market escalated into violence, leaving multiple locals and one Nihang injured. Four Nihang pilgrims from Punjab were subsequently arrested. The arrested individuals included Manpreet Singh, Jasanpreet Singh, Ajay Singh, and Satwinder Singh, all aged between 21 and 23 years and associated with Sohana Gurdwara.
Nihang Sikhs' Peaceful Approach
After reaching Gurdwara Paonta Sahib on the Uttarakhand-Himachal border in the evening, Nihang Sikh activists from Shiromani Panth Akali Dashmesh Tarna Dal Singh Saheb and Major Singh Sodhi Nankana Sahibwale expressed solidarity with their fellows in police custody. They stated, "We never aim to indulge in any clash with the local Uttarakhand residents. We will go peacefully and approach the Uttarakhand administration. We will try to settle the case, requesting them to quash the case and free them." They acknowledged that the issue had been partially settled but intended to proceed to Uttarakhand.
Police Action and Transfer of Investigation
Initially, Uttarakhand Police allegedly took one-sided action by only arresting the four Nihang pilgrims, who reportedly brandished kirpans during the clash. Following intense pressure from Sikh organizations and a 72-hour standoff at Nagrasu gurdwara, a counter-case was registered on June 20 based on a complaint by Manpreet Singh's father. To ensure neutrality, the investigation was transferred from Chamoli to Haridwar district under DIG Yashwant Singh, with SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar personally overseeing it.
Delegations Meeting Uttarakhand Officials
A five-member Nihang Sikh delegation met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday and later called on DGP Deepam Seth, demanding a swift inquiry and amicable resolution. On June 21, leaders from Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De', including Bapu Tarsem Singh, Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, and Harjinder Singh, met the DGP and SSP Bhullar. Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj sought an impartial investigation and urged the Uttarakhand government to ensure safety and dignity of Sikh pilgrims en route to Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib. A delegation of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) led by president Harmeet Singh Kalka also met the CM and SSP Bhullar. Bharatiya Janata Party (Punjab) spokesperson Prof Sarchand Singh approached the CM demanding an impartial, time-bound investigation. Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa 'Dhuma', head of Damdami Taksal, stressed that forces behind communal hostility must be exposed to protect social harmony and national unity.
