Search Intensifies for Missing Man in J&K Cattle Transport Attack
Search teams expanded their efforts across a mountain stream in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day of operations. The intensive search is focused on locating a 25-year-old man who is feared dead after he leaped into the water while attempting to escape from attackers who chased him over allegations related to transporting cattle.
Political Condemnation and Calls for Justice
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the violent assault, labeling it as "wrong" and accusing the attackers of effectively "murdering an innocent person." In a statement to reporters in Anantnag, Abdullah expressed outrage, questioning the vigilante actions. "These people take the law into their own hands. Who has given them this right? Where is it written that whoever is ferrying cattle is involved in illegal activities?" he asserted. He further described the perpetrators as "hooligans" who aim to impose a "law of the jungle" in the region.
Details of the Incident and Victim Identification
Police have identified the missing individual as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, a resident of the Ukhral area in Ramban. The incident unfolded on Sunday when Chopan was driving a pick-up truck carrying a cow and two calves from Jammu to his village. According to officials, he was allegedly pursued by two vehicles, intercepted, and subjected to a physical beating. In a desperate bid to flee, Chopan jumped into a rivulet near Ramsoo and has not been seen since, prompting widespread concern and mobilization of rescue resources.
Official Response and Search Operations
Omar Abdullah urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure stringent action against those responsible. "Those trying to disturb peace must be dealt with severely. This will send a message that hooliganism and jungle raj have no place in J&K," he emphasized. In response, more than 100 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local volunteers have been deployed. The search efforts are concentrated on downstream stretches, with a particular focus on large boulders where the body might be trapped. Additional reinforcements have joined from Banihal, Batote, and Udhampur to bolster the operation.
Legal Actions and Community Unrest
In a significant development, police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and arrested four individuals under a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Ramsoo police station. The incident has sparked public anger, leading to protests on Monday. Residents blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Makerkoot in Ramban for approximately four hours, disrupting traffic flow. Normalcy was restored after officials, including Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan and Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta, assured a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter.
Restoration of Services and Broader Condemnation
Internet services in Ramban, which were briefly suspended to prevent the spread of rumors, have now been reinstated. Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen highlighted that residents across various communities have united in condemning the attack. He called for accountability and urged calm, emphasizing the need for justice to prevail and for such incidents not to disrupt the social harmony in the region.
