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Sikh Pilgrims Clash With Locals in Karnprayag, Several Injured and Highway Blocked

Detentions of accused pilgrims, registration of a criminal case, renewed demands to curb kirpans and a multi-hour traffic stoppage followed a violent parking dispute on the Badrinath Highway

Overview

  • A parking dispute in Karnprayag escalated into physical violence involving swords or kirpans and left multiple people wounded before police arrived.
  • Angry residents and traders blocked the Badrinath Highway for several hours, leaving pilgrims and commuters stranded until district officials intervened.
  • Chamoli police say they detained the accused pilgrims and registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a victim filed a complaint.
  • Reports differ on the exact casualty count but journalists and officials say between four and five people were injured and one person was airlifted to Dehradun for treatment.
  • Hemkund pilgrimage managers and local residents have called for stricter monitoring or limits on carrying large sharp-edged weapons during yatras to reduce future clashes.