Uttarakhand police move Karnaprayag clash probe to Haridwar

On June 16, a clash broke out in Karnaprayag, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, between Sikh pilgrims participating in the Hemkunt Sahib yatra and local residents. An FIR was lodged on June 20 after a pilgrim’s father complained of assault by unidentified individuals.

Following a recommendation from the IG of the Garhwal Range, the Uttarakhand police headquarters decided to transfer the investigations of both the communal incident and the alleged police misconduct to the Haridwar district police. Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bulla will supervise the inquiry, while a senior IPS officer has been tasked with probing allegations against the local police. The DGP, Yashvant Singh, has been directed to submit a report within two weeks.

Police Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop emphasized that the state respects the religious sentiments of all communities and is committed to transparent, fair action. He also reiterated that ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims during the Hemkunt Sahib journey remains a top priority for law‑enforcement agencies.