Local Man Goes Missing After Cow Vigilante Clash, Residents Protest
Incident Overview
A 30-year-old man from Pogal village in Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly gone missing after jumping into a nullah while allegedly fleeing from cow vigilantes. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon near Digdole, Ramban district, when Tanveer Ahmad Chopan was transporting cattle in a pick-up vehicle.
According to police reports, Chopan was intercepted by a group of individuals claiming to be cow vigilantes, who began chasing his vehicle and pelting stones at him. After being allegedly assaulted, Chopan jumped into the nullah in an attempt to escape.
Rescue Operations
Emergency services were alerted to the scene immediately following the incident, and a rescue operation was initiated. However, authorities reported that they have been unable to locate Tanveer Ahmad Chopan as of now.
Protests Erupt on National Highway
On Monday morning, hundreds of agitated residents from Pogal and nearby villages gathered at Maggarkote and blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in protest of the missing man. The blockade lasted until 1:30 PM, causing long traffic delays on both sides of the highway.
In response, police reinforcements were deployed to manage the situation. Local officials, including the Ramban Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, attended the scene and engaged with the protesters, urging them to lift the blockade. Authorities assured the community of a fair investigation into the matter and announced the formation of a special investigation team led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Surinder Singh Biloria.
Arrests Made
As part of the investigation, four individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. They have been identified as Surjeet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Digvijay Singh, and Kewal Singh, all residents of Ramban.
Political Reactions
Local political figures have also weighed in on the incident. Sajad Shaheen, the Banihal MLA from the National Conference, visited the protest site, urging the community to remain calm and calling for a thorough investigation into the events that transpired. He condemned the actions of the cow vigilantes, stating that such violence undermines the peace in the Ramban district.
Concerns were also raised by BJP’s Ramban MLA Arjun Singh Raju and senior Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani, both demanding stringent action against those responsible for the assault.
Community Response
In the wake of this incident, Shadab Wani, president of the Beopar Mandal in Banihal, announced the cancellation of a planned one-day strike that was set to address community grievances regarding the case. Wani stated that police have assured the community of firm actions against the culprits involved.
In addition to local efforts, a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) based in Udhampur has joined the ongoing search operations for the missing man in the nullah, which eventually flows into the Chenab River downstream.
