The stalemate between a group of Nihang Sikhs and the local administration continued on Monday at Nagrasu Gurdwara in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, with authorities describing the situation as “tense but under control.”The Nihang Sikh jatha, which has forcibly occupied the rooftop and upper floors of the gurdwara located on the Badrinath Highway, is demanding the release of four Nihang Sikh pilgrims arrested following a clash with local residents in Karnaprayag on June 16.The four pilgrims were booked under Section 307 after an argument over a parking issue escalated into violence. The clash left four people injured, including a Sikh pilgrim.Amid rumours that devotees and gurdwara staff had been taken hostage by the Nihang group, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the situation.On Monday, the district administration issued a clarification denying any hostage situation and stated that normal activities at the shrine were continuing uninterrupted. However, gurdwara caretakers accused the Nihang Sikhs of forcibly taking control of the premises, assaulting volunteers, vandalising property and hurling stones at police personnel and local residents from the upper floors of the building.Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra dismissed reports of a takeover or hostage situation. While acknowledging that a disagreement had occurred, he said the Gurdwara Management Committee was functioning peacefully.According to Mishra, prayers, langar services and the movement of devotees at Nagrasu Gurdwara have continued without disruption. He appealed to the public not to spread or believe unverified claims circulating on social media.Local resident and social activist Tribhuvan Chauhan, who said he witnessed the developments, stated that while the situation had eased somewhat, tensions remained until the Nihang group vacated the gurdwara premises.”There is no hostage situation. The Nihangs have released a few individuals who were earlier in their custody. However, the dispute between the Nihang Sikhs, who are still occupying the upper floors, the gurdwara management, and the Sikh sevadars residing there remains unresolved,” Chauhan said.He confirmed that ardaas, langar services and prayers were being conducted peacefully under heavy police deployment around the gurdwara. Devotees, he added, continued to visit the shrine.According to local accounts, the group arrived at the gurdwara on June 20 and allegedly created disturbances by arguing with and misbehaving with volunteers. Despite the tension, the gurdwara authorities allowed them to stay overnight and provided food.Baba Beant Singh, granthi of Gurdwara Nagrasu, said the situation escalated on the morning of June 21 when members of the group again clashed with volunteers.”We tried to persuade them to leave peacefully. When they noticed the police presence outside, they believed they were about to be arrested. They went to the fifth floor, damaged walls and began throwing stones at police personnel and people gathered outside,” Singh alleged.