Four persons have been arrested after a man was allegedly chased by cow vigilantes, forcing him to jump into a stream while trying to escape on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in the Ramsoo area of Ramban district.
The man, identified as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, a driver from Mundkhal in Pogal, Ukhral tehsil of Ramban, has been missing since the incident and is feared to have drowned.
Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
Banihal MLA Sajjad Shaheen said the victim was transporting a milch cow and two calves in a Tata Mobile vehicle from Jammu to his native village when he was allegedly chased by a group of cow vigilantes near Digdool on the highway.
He said villagers informed him that the victim had valid permission for transporting the livestock.
“On reaching the Makarkoot area, Tanveer, in a desperate attempt to escape and save his life from the attackers, jumped into the Nallah Bishlari stream,” Shaheen alleged.
The incident reportedly took place around 2 pm on Sunday.
Since the incident, a massive search operation has been underway in the stream, involving teams from SDRF, UDRF, police, civil administration, and local volunteers. However, Tanveer’s body has not been recovered so far.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Arun Gupta, said assistance from the NDRF has also been sought for the operation. He added that strong water currents and the depth of the stream are posing challenges to the rescue efforts.
The SSP said an FIR has been registered based on the statement of a key witness. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the SDPO Banihal, has been constituted to investigate the incident.
“Police have arrested four persons based on witness statements,” he said.
“All aspects will be examined during the investigation and due process will be followed,” he added, when asked about the alleged involvement of cow vigilantes.
Calling the incident an attempt to disturb communal harmony, the MLA said there is widespread anger among locals.
“Even members of the Hindu community have condemned the incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, locals staged a protest and blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Ramsoo, demanding the arrest of all those involved in the incident. (Agency)
