A clash erupted between a group of Sikh pilgrims and local residents over a parking dispute near Panch Puliya in Karnprayag, Uttarakhand, leaving five people injured, including a pilgrim from Mohali, Punjab. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning and led to a four-hour blockade of the Badrinath National Highway (NH-07) by angry locals, disrupting traffic and stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Details of the Incident
According to police, the dispute began when pilgrims en route to Hemkund Sahib parked their vehicle in front of a local hotel. The argument escalated, and the pilgrims allegedly attacked residents with swords and kirpans. The injured were taken to a government hospital in Karnprayag, with one person reported in critical condition and referred to another facility.
Injured Identified
The injured individuals include Prakash Rawat (26), Sudarshan Kandari (55), Gajpal Singh (50), and Harendra Singh (42), all residents of Karnprayag, along with Manpreet Singh (21) from Mohali, Punjab.
Highway Blockade and Protest
Following the clash, locals gathered near the Karnprayag police post and blocked the national highway, causing a massive traffic jam. Hundreds of vehicles carrying pilgrims to Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, as well as local commuters, were stranded. To manage traffic, police temporarily stopped vehicles at a holding area in Gauchar.
Authorities Intervene
The protest was called off after Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar and Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar reached the spot and held discussions with the protesters. They assured strict action against those responsible for the violence. The locals demanded a ban on sharp-edged weapons during religious pilgrimages.
Kumar stated that the safety of both pilgrims and locals is the administration's top priority, adding that no form of lawlessness would be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against the guilty.
