Ramban: The search for a missing man in Ramban district, who allegedly jumped into a stream while fleeing a group of ‘cow vigilantes’, entered its fourth day on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take strict action against those behind the death of a Ramban youth, to send out a strong message that jungle raj will not be tolerated in the Union Territory.
“We want the atmosphere to remain good, but there are some people who want to create jungle raj here. They want to vitiate the atmosphere here and create a communal conflict,” Abdullah said while addressing a function in Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The man, identified as 25-year-old Tanveer Ahmad Chopan from Pogal, has been missing since Sunday, with rescue teams yet to trace him.
Personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, police and local volunteers are continuing the search operation.
Reports suggest Chopan jumped into Nullah Bishlari near Tunnel No 5 at Magarkote after he was allegedly assaulted and chased by a group of men.
On Tuesday, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sargun Shukla visited the site to review the probe and assess the progress of the search operation.
Police have so far arrested four persons in connection with the case. Protests broke out on Monday, with locals blocking the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban, demanding strict action against the accused.
Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan and SSP Arun Gupta, visited the site to pacify the protesters.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team has been formed to conduct a detailed probe and identify all those involved.
Chopan’s father, Abdul Salman Chopan, a Special Police Officer with J&K Police, has sought strict action against the accused. The family includes three daughters.
