Kamal Ghorui
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Search teams fanned out across a mountain stream in J&K’s Ramban district Tuesday, the third day of operations for a 25-year-old man feared dead after he jumped into the water while fleeing attackers who chased him over transporting cattle.CM Omar Abdullah condemned the assault, calling it “wrong” and accusing the attackers of “murdering an innocent person”.“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?” Omar told reporters in Anantnag. “They are hooligans. They want to run a law of the jungle here.”Police identified the missing man as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, a resident of Ramban’s Ukhral area. Chopan was driving a pick-up truck with a cow and two calves from Jammu to his village Sunday when he was allegedly chased in two vehicles, intercepted and beaten. Officials said he jumped into a rivulet near Ramsoo while trying to escape and has not been seen since.Omar urged lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha to ensure strict action. “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 said.More than 100 personnel from NDRF, SDRF, police and local volunteers searched downstream stretches, focusing on large boulders where the body could be trapped. Reinforcements joined from Banihal, Batote and Udhampur.Police formed an SIT and arrested four people under an FIR registered at Ramsoo police station.Anger spilled onto the streets Monday as residents blocked Jammu–Srinagar NH near Makerkoot in Ramban for about four hours. Traffic resumed after officials, including DC Mohammad Alyas Khan and SSP Arun Gupta, assured a transparent probe.Internet services, briefly suspended in Ramban to curb rumours, have been restored. Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen said residents across communities have condemned the attack, calling for accountability and calm.
