Uttarakhand Police transfers Karnaprayag clash probe to Haridwar amid demands for fair investigation
Dehradun, June 22
In a major move to ensure an impartial and transparent inquiry into the recent Karnaprayag clash, the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters has announced a series of significant administrative decisions. The investigation into the physical altercation between Sikh pilgrims and residents in Chamoli district has been officially transferred to Haridwar.
According to PHQ, the incident involved a clash and subsequent assault between Sikh pilgrims and locals in Karnaprayag, following which a case was initially registered at Karnaprayag Police Station against Sikh pilgrims.
Based on the recommendation of the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Garhwal Range, the Police Headquarters has now decided to transfer both related cases out of Chamoli district. "To ensure a fair and impartial investigation, both cases registered at Karnaprayag Police Station have been transferred from Chamoli district to Haridwar district," according to an official release.
The investigations will now be conducted under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridwar Navneet Singh Bhullar. Officials said the decision has been taken to ensure independence and neutrality in the probe.
In a separate development, an FIR was also registered on June 20 at Karnaprayag Police Station against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged assault on an injured Sikh pilgrim. The FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by the victim's father.
The PHQ further said that allegations raised by several Sikh organisations regarding the alleged conduct and behaviour of local police personnel towards Sikh pilgrims have been taken seriously, and an inquiry has been entrusted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Yashwant Singh. He has been directed to submit his report within two weeks.
IG Garhwal Range Rajiv Swaroop said the Uttarakhand Police remains committed to maintaining law and order while respecting the religious sentiments of all communities. He said, "The Uttarakhand Police fully respects the religious sentiments of all communities and remains committed to ensuring fair, transparent and lawful action in every case."
He further added that the Hemkund Sahib Yatra, a significant pilgrimage for Sikh devotees, is being conducted in a safe, peaceful and orderly manner through coordinated efforts of the police and administration.
"The safety, dignity and convenience of every pilgrim remains the highest priority for the police," Rajiv Swaroop said, reiterating that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of ongoing investigations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but let's not forget the locals involved also deserve justice. Why were both cases transferred? If the pilgrims were assaulted, shouldn't the perpetrators be punished too? A balanced approach is needed, not just shifting blame.
As a resident of Chamoli, I've seen tensions rise during yatra season. The police shouldn't have waited for protests to act. Transferring the probe is a good step, but why wasn't this done sooner? Accountability starts at the local level. Still, kudos to IG Swaroop for listening to concerns.
It's refreshing to see a police force taking allegations of misconduct seriously. The two-week deadline for the DIG's inquiry is a clear signal that authorities are committed to transparency. Let's hope this sets a precedent for handling similar incidents across India.
Respecting religious sentiments is important, but let's not forget the law applies to everyone equally. If the pilgrims broke any rules, they should face consequences too. The transfer to Haridwar is a good start, but I'll wait for the actual findings before celebrating.
My family is from Haridwar and I'm relieved to see SSP Bhullar overseeing this. He's known for his integrity. The Hemkund Sahib Yatra is a sacred journey for Sikhs, and any attack on pilgrims is unacceptable. Justice must be swift and impartial. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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