Five arrested after video shows them using sticks to attack each other at Kedarnath

In a statement, the police said, “A video of a violent altercation went viral on social media today, in which several individuals can be seen engaging in a stick fight and attacking each other. Taking cognizance of the video, the Sonprayag police visited the incident site, Sitapur parking, and conducted an inquiry. It was found that the incident occurred around 11 am today. The clash reportedly broke out between some pilgrims and Sitapur parking staff over an unspecified issue and escalated into a physical fight involving sticks.”

Police further questioned the parking contractor and others on the spot, and based on the inquiry, an FIR was registered at Sonprayag police station. A total of five individuals named in the FIR have been arrested and produced before the court. The accused have been identified as Deepak Chandra, 23, Laxman Singh, 32, Rajender Kohli, 33, Sudarshan Chandra, 28, and Durgesh, 21, all residents of Rudraprayag.

Superintendent of Police, Rudraprayag, Akshay Prahlad Konde, said that the parking contractor has also been held accountable for failing to control his staff properly. “Strictest possible action will be taken in such matters. This kind of behaviour towards pilgrims visiting the Char Dham Yatra is completely unacceptable under any circumstances,” he said.

So far, over 11 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath, the highest among the four shrines in Char Dham circuit.