Dehradun, June 22 -- At least seven Nihang Sikhs locked themselves up on the terrace of a gurdwara in Nagrasu area of Rudraprayag district for more than 24 hours on Sunday following an altercation with 'sevadars' associated with the gurdwara management, prompting the district administration and police to persuade them to come down, officials said. Adequate police personnel remained deployed in and around the gurdwara as a precautionary measure. During discussions with police and administrative officials, the Nihang Sikhs alleged that they had been mistreated by the gurdwara management. The management, however, accused the Nihangs of vandalising property, pelting stones from the terrace and unlawfully confining an elderly pilgrim. The management further alleged that the group was demanding the release of four Nihang Sikhs who were arrested in Karnaprayag following a clash with local residents over a parking dispute earlier this month. Rudraprayag superintendent of police (SP) Neeharika Tomar said police received information through the emergency helpline on Saturday evening regarding a dispute at the gurdwara premises. "Some Nihang Sikhs had an altercation with persons associated with the gurdwara. After receiving information, police teams reached the spot. However, the Nihangs went to the terrace of the gurdwara and locked the staircase leading to the upper floors and terrace," Tomar said. She said officials from the administration and police, along with representatives of the gurdwara management, were engaged in continuous talks with the group. "We are continuously trying to communicate with them. They have alleged that gurdwara sevadars were involved in an argument and scuffle with them and claimed that the sevadars misbehaved with them and used inappropriate language. They have demanded that CCTV footage be examined and action be taken against them," she said. Tomar said the gurdwara complex remained open and the situation was under control. "No complaint has been received from the gurdwara committee against the Nihang Sikhs so far. However, our inquiry into the incident is underway and statements of eyewitnesses are being recorded," she added. Gurdwara manager Beant Singh, however, alleged that the group repeatedly created disputes at various places along the yatra route before their arrival at the gurudwara. He claimed that the group had earlier been involved in disputes outside a gurdwara in Rishikesh, at Dhari Devi and with the family members of a youth who had died in a motorcycle accident. "We do not know these individuals. Four of them arrived on two motorcycles while three others came on foot. Soon after arriving, they began arguing with our sevadars," Singh alleged....