The standoff at Nagarasu Gurdwara in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag finally ended after three days on Tuesday, after four Nihang Sikhs came down and left for Punjab.
Nihag Sikhs, who had occupied the fourth floor and roof of the Gurdwara, left after lengthy negotiations with the district administration and police on Tuesday.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday assured impartial action in connection with the dispute reported in Nagrasu, while maintaining close coordination between the administration and police.
Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami said that officials, along with the DGP, have been continuously monitoring the situation and holding consultations with all concerned parties.
Earlier today, a delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) also met CM Dhami and discussed the physical altercation between Sikh pilgrims and residents in Karnaprayag. The organisation stated that the CM is "monitoring the matter seriously" and assured prompt action.
What led to tensions at Gurdwara?
On June 16, in Karnaprayag, a dispute between residents and Nihangs over parking culminated in an altercation, and Nihangs allegedly attacked residents with swords, injuring four people. The police had arrested four of the accused.
The angry Nihangs also accused the local Gurdwara management of not objecting to the matter. As a result, seven Nihangs arrived at the Gurdwara on Saturday afternoon and, after a scuffle with the attendants, took over the upper floor.
After climbing atop the Gurdwar, they started brandishing swords and seized the entire fourth floor. They were demanding the release of the arrested Nihangs.
On Sunday night, two of them descended and apologised to the police and left for Punjab. On Monday, one of the Nihangs was detained while he and another came down to take food. While one was detained, the other managed to escape and climb again as the remaining Nihangs on the roof started pelting stones.