Over 150 Nihangs have gathered at the Paonta Sahib gurdwara in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, refusing to disperse until four members of their community arrested in Uttarakhand are released following a clash with local residents. The gathering has triggered a tense situation along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border, with authorities closely monitoring developments.

The arrested Nihang members were taken into custody in Uttarakhand after an altercation involving members of the armed Sikh sect and local residents. The incident is reported to have escalated quickly, prompting police intervention and subsequent arrests. The detentions have since become the central point of contention, with Nihang groups alleging that their members were unfairly targeted during the confrontation.

In response, multiple Nihang jathas assembled at the Paonta Sahib gurdwara to coordinate their strategy and decide on their next course of action. During internal discussions, the groups collectively resolved that they would not return to Punjab until the four arrested members are released. The decision has effectively turned the gurdwara premises into a temporary protest site, with supporters maintaining a continuous presence and awaiting updates from both community leaders and officials.

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Tensions had escalated earlier in the week when a Nihang jatha attempted to move into Uttarakhand through the Dehradun corridor, located a short distance from the border area. The group was intercepted by police personnel deployed in large numbers, leading to a confrontation between the two sides. Security forces had already been placed on alert due to intelligence inputs regarding a possible march, and additional reinforcements were brought in to prevent any breach of the border.

The situation at the border remained volatile until Friday, when both sides agreed to temporarily ease tensions after discussions between representatives and authorities. The Nihangs subsequently postponed their planned march into Uttarakhand for two days after officials reportedly requested time to address their demands. This pause was seen as a short-term de-escalation measure aimed at preventing further clashes while negotiations or administrative consultations continued behind the scenes.

However, Nihang leader Jagdeep Singh Akali has warned that the agitation will resume if the arrested members are not released within the agreed timeframe. He stated that the suspension of the protest is temporary and contingent on action by the Uttarakhand administration. Authorities in both states are expected to remain on alert as the deadline approaches, with the situation remaining sensitive given the potential for renewed mobilisation along the border region.

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