Tension gripped the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border on Thursday after a group of Nihang Sikhs breached police barricades.
At the Kulhal checkpoint in Dehradun district and continued towards Hemkund Sahib despite heightened security and repeated appeals from authorities.
The Uttarakhand administration had deployed heavy police forces at the border after Nihang groups announced a march to the state over the ongoing dispute surrounding the Karnaprayag and Nagrasu gurdwaras.
District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobhal personally monitored the security arrangements, while police intensified vehicle checks and set up multiple barricades at the Kulhal border.
The Nihang jatha, which began its journey from Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Mohali, was stopped at the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border. Officials held several rounds of talks with the group at the Kulhal barrier and later at Paonta Sahib Gurdwara in an attempt to defuse the situation.
While many members of the group remained at the designated spot, a small contingent pushed past the barricades and proceeded towards Uttarakhand.
“We are trying to maintain law and order,” Superintendent of Police (Rural) Pankaj Gairola said.
SSP Pramendra Dobhal said police had remained on high alert throughout the day in anticipation of the march.
“Several rounds of discussions were held with the group both at the Kulhal barrier and Paonta Sahib Gurdwara. Some accepted our request and stayed back, but around 15 to 20 people attempted to breach another barricade. We will deal with any such incident firmly while ensuring minimum use of force. Efforts are continuing to resolve the matter peacefully,” he said.
The march follows a June 16 clash in Karnaprayag, where a dispute between local residents and another group of Nihang Sikhs allegedly turned violent. Police said swords were brandished during the confrontation, leaving several locals and one Nihang injured. Four Nihang Sikhs were later arrested in connection with the incident.
The protesting group has demanded the release of the four arrested members and said it will not return to Punjab until they are freed.
A representative of the Nihang group said their intention was to undertake the pilgrimage peacefully while reciting prayers and to resolve the dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation.
“We want an amicable settlement with the local residents. Senior police officers have assured us that bail proceedings for the arrested Nihangs will be completed within a few days,” he said.
The group added that it would remain in Uttarakhand until the detained members were released and could return to Punjab with the rest of the jatha.
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