Four Sikh pilgrims have been arrested in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district for allegedly attacking local residents with swords after a dispute over vehicle parking in Karnaprayag market, police said on Wednesday.
The arrested men have been identified as Mantri Singh (21), Jasanpreet Singh (23), Ajay Singh (23) and Satwinder Singh (21), all residents of Mohali in Punjab. Karnaprayag SHO Vinod Thapliyal said the arrests were made after a local resident, Gajpal Singh, filed a complaint.
Police said the incident took place near Krishna Palace Hotel. The argument reportedly broke out between local traders, a resident named Prakash Rawat and a group of Nihang pilgrims returning from the Sri Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage.
According to police, the dispute escalated and two of the pilgrims allegedly attacked Rawat with sharp-edged weapons. Police said two other pilgrims then allegedly assaulted local residents who tried to stop the fight. Four people were injured in the incident.
One of the injured suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Dehradun for treatment. The other three injured persons are reported to be in stable condition.
Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar said all four accused have been arrested and booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He said strict action would be taken against anyone disturbing law and order or endangering public safety. Police are closely monitoring the area, and the situation remains under control.
Meanwhile, Sardar Sewa Singh, manager of the Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust at Govindghat, appealed to pilgrims to maintain peace, discipline and harmony during the yatra.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Trust urged devotees to conduct themselves with respect and dignity and to remember the spiritual purpose of the pilgrimage.
The management also requested pilgrims to avoid arguments, respect local sentiments and cooperate with authorities to maintain law and order throughout the journey.
The Trust reminded devotees that weapons in Sikhism are meant for protection and should not be misused. It advised pilgrims not to carry unnecessary weapons and urged parents to discourage children from carrying them as well.
The management further advised devotees to report any disputes or problems to the concerned authorities instead of taking matters into their own hands.
Also read: Wanted interstate drug smuggler held in Uttarakhand
Follow us
