Swords, Spears, And Dialogue: 4 Nihang Sikhs Stay Locked Inside Uttarakhand Gurudwara As Talks Enter Day 3

Last Updated:June 23, 2026, 10:21 IST

A heavy police force was stationed outside the Gurudwara at Nagrasu after the standoff that began Saturday. Uttarakhand Deputy DIG-Law and Order has been directed to probe the case

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.

A group 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.

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.

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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