The tense standoff at Nagrasu Gurdwara in Uttarakhand entered its fourth day on Tuesday as authorities continued efforts to resolve the crisis. Army personnel have now joined the security operation, while drones are being used to monitor the situation around the shrine.

According to ANI, discussions are ongoing among Nihang Sikhs to convince those staying inside the gurdwara to cooperate with authorities. Officials are closely monitoring developments. Despite the ongoing standoff, the situation in and around the gurdwara remains peaceful. Traffic on the nearby National Highway is moving normally and has not been affected by the incident.

A group of Nihang Sikhs has reached the gurdwara to persuade the protesters to end the confrontation. Security personnel continue to remain deployed outside the shrine as authorities try to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

The dispute began after a group of Nihangs allegedly entered the gurdwara and demanded the release of four members of their sect who had been arrested following a clash in Chamoli district on June 16.

According to PTI, the four Nihang devotees were arrested after an altercation related to parking near a hotel in Karnaprayag market in Chamoli. Four people were reportedly injured in the clash that took place when a group of Nihang pilgrims returning from Sri Hemkund Sahib got into a confrontation with the local residents.

Following the arrests, some Nihangs reportedly approached the management of Nagrasu Gurdwara and sought support for a protest. They claimed that the authorities had taken “one-sided action” against the arrested members of their sect.

The situation escalated on Saturday when around eight Nihangs allegedly entered the gurdwara, took a devotee and a sevadar hostage, and barricaded themselves on the third floor of the building.

PTI reported that the group remained on the roof of the gurdwara armed with sharp weapons, including spears, swords, axes and kirpans. During the protest, they raised slogans and demanded the release of the four arrested Nihangs.

In response, authorities deployed a large number of police personnel and members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) around the shrine to maintain law and order. Senior officials, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, held several rounds of talks with the protesters in an attempt to defuse the situation.

These negotiations led to the release of the devotee on Saturday. The sevadar was freed on Sunday evening, according to a police officer quoted by The Times of India.

As the standoff continued, Army troops arrived in the town on Monday. Police and ITBP personnel remained stationed near the gurdwara while authorities intensified efforts to end the protest peacefully.

The protesters have continued to demand the release of the four Nihangs who were arrested after the Chamoli clash. Officials have not yet indicated whether any decision has been taken regarding their demand.

The incident also led to a temporary suspension of internet services in parts of the Rudraprayag district. According to ANI, authorities ordered the suspension due to concerns that tensions related to the gurdwara standoff could affect law and order in the area.

Internet services remained suspended for nearly 12 hours on Sunday before being restored. ANI reported that this was only the third time since the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000 that internet services had been suspended as a precautionary measure to maintain public order.

Meanwhile, serious allegations have emerged from the gurdwara management regarding the conduct of the protesting group. Gurdwara granthi Baba Beant Singh claimed that the Nihangs had initially been provided shelter and food at the shrine. However, he alleged that they later became violent and damaged the property.

"They came here and started fighting. They started beating and abusing the volunteers. Even then, we let them stay overnight and provided them with food. They started fighting with us again the next morning. Still, we tried to reason with them and make them leave," ANI quoted Singh as saying.

Singh further alleged that the group disrupted the gurdwara’s functioning by cutting off its water supply. He also claimed that they damaged solar panels installed on the premises and continued vandalising property within the shrine complex.

Authorities are continuing negotiations to end the standoff peacefully. Security forces remain on high alert around the gurdwara, while surveillance through drones and the presence of Army, police and ITBP personnel continue as officials monitor the situation closely.