A tense standoff involving Nihang Sikhs at a gurudwara at Nagrasu in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district continued on Monday. Four Nihangs, armed with swords and spears, continue to occupy the premises to demand the release of four members who were arrested for their involvement in a clash with locals over an alleged parking dispute in Chamoli on June 16.
Agroup of Nihangs allegedly stormed a gurudwara, taking a Sikh devotee hostage on the roof of the shrine to demand the release of their fellow members.
A heavy police force was stationed outside the Gurudwara at Nagrasu after the standoff that began Saturday evening, June 20. According to the police, Uttarakhand Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Law and Order) has been directed to investigate
the matter, Times of India reported.
Amidst the chaos, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a telephonic conversation Uttarakhand counterpart, Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging the latter to resolve the matter through dialogue and negotiations.
CM Mann offered to extend assistance from the Punjab government, if required, said the report.
On Monday, CM Dhami told reporters: “I have spoken to them and assured them that we will act impartially. Devbhoomi Uttarakhand embraces everyone and respects all faiths. We are home to sacred sites like Hemkund Sahib, Nanakmatta Sahib, and Reetha Sahib—places established by our Sikh Gurus.”
“Respecting all faiths is an integral part of our state’s culture and values”, he asserted, according to the news agency ANI.
How The Incident Unfolded
The visiting Nihangs –– initially seven –– ventured into the Gurudwara and took two Sikh devotees, including a ‘sevadar’, hostage. The incident allegedly followed a dispute with the gurdwara management committee during ‘langar’, the free, communal kitchen found in every Gurdwara.
VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Nihang Sikhs protesting against arrest of fellow associates at Nagrasu Gurdwara in Rudraprayag district pelt stones on police and the administration.
The Nihang Sikhs are staging a rooftop standoff at the Nagrasu Gurdwara.
A heavy deployment of police… pic.twitter.com/qehjQjBgPq
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026
Till Monday evening, three of them left the premises, while four others remained locked inside the premises.
According to Times of India, citing inspector general (Garhwal range), Rajeev Swaroop, one hostage was released Saturday and another was freed Sunday following intense negotiations with the Nihangs.
Inspector Swaroop also denied links between the Nagrasu and Chamoli incidents, suggesting the two were “unrelated”.
What Happened In Chamoli?
On June 16, a group of Nihang pilgrims were returning after visiting the Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara –– the world’s highest Sikh shrine in Uttarakhand –– when they engaged in a clash with the locals.
Subsequently, the Nihangs allegedly attacked the other group with swords, resulting in injuries to four locals. A Nihang pilgrim also sustained injuries during the standoff.
Later, all four were arrested in connection with the altercation. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
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