Nihang Sikhs return to Himachal after talks end border standoff in Uttarakhand

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Dehradun, June 26

A tense standoff between Nihang Sikhs and police at the Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand border ended peacefully on Friday after discussions between the group and district administration officials. The Nihang group agreed to return to Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh after negotiations and left the area under police escort.

The confrontation took place at the Kulhal checkpoint in Vikasnagar, Dehradun district, on Thursday night, when the group attempted to move towards Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. The situation escalated after some members pushed through police barricades deployed to prevent their entry.

Officials said the group also called off its planned protest march linked to the recent Karnaprayag market dispute in Chamoli district and the related developments at a gurdwara in Nagrasu.

After talks with police and district administration authorities, the group, which had gathered at Race Course Gurdwara in Dehradun, left the premises around 3.30 am in two vehicles. Police provided an escort to ensure their safe movement across the state border.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Dobal said the administration held detailed discussions with the group members and thanked them for agreeing to return to Paonta Sahib.

“A few people had crossed the area, and one or two vehicles had proceeded along the route. We spoke to them at length, and they, too, agreed to return,” Dobal said.

Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said the matter was resolved amicably.

“Our Nihang sahibans returned to Paonta Sahib. Around 150 Nihang Sikhs already present in Paonta Sahib extended their full cooperation, bringing the situation under control,” Chauhan said.

The protest was connected to the arrest of four Nihangs following a clash in Karnaprayag market on June 16. The incident, which began as a minor dispute between residents and Nihang members, later turned violent, leading to injuries and police action.

A section of the Nihang community had alleged that the action against their members was one-sided and demanded a fair inquiry into the matter. Representatives of the group said they wanted to resolve the issue peacefully and through dialogue.

Earlier, a separate situation at Nagarasu Gurdwara on the Badrinath Highway was also resolved following discussions among the local administration, gurdwara management, and Nihang members.

A five-member delegation of Nihang Sikhs had also met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and later held discussions with senior police officials, seeking an inquiry into the Karnaprayag incident.

The administration’s intervention and talks brought an end to the border tension, with officials maintaining that peace and harmony would continue between all communities.