LawAndOrder – Man Missing After Alleged Chase on Jammu Srinagar Highway

LawAndOrder –  Four individuals have been taken into custody after a disturbing incident on the Jammu-Srinagar highway reportedly forced a man to jump into a stream, where he is now feared dead.

A man identified as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, a driver from Mundkhal village in Ramban district’s Ukhral tehsil, has been missing since Sunday afternoon after allegedly being pursued by a group of self-styled cow vigilantes. Authorities suspect he may have drowned after entering a fast-flowing stream in an attempt to escape.

Incident Reported on Busy Highway Stretch

According to local accounts, the incident occurred near the Digdool area along the Srinagar-Jammu highway. Chopan was reportedly transporting a milch cow along with two calves in a Tata Mobile vehicle from Jammu to his hometown when he was allegedly intercepted and chased.

Banihal MLA Sajjad Shaheen stated that residents informed him the driver had proper documentation for transporting the livestock. Despite this, the situation escalated, leading to a pursuit that continued along the highway.

Desperate Escape Attempt Near Makarkoot

As the chase intensified, Chopan reportedly tried to evade the group near the Makarkoot area. In what officials describe as a desperate move to protect himself, he jumped into the nearby Bishlari stream. The incident took place around 2 pm on Sunday.

Since then, there has been no confirmed sighting of him, raising concerns that he may have been swept away by the strong current.

Search Operation Faces Difficult Conditions

A large-scale search operation was launched soon after the incident was reported. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Union Disaster Response Force (UDRF), local police, civil administration, and volunteers have been combing the area.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Arun Gupta, confirmed that additional support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been requested. However, the depth of the stream and powerful water flow have significantly slowed progress.

Despite continuous efforts, Chopan’s body had not been recovered at the time of reporting.

SIT Formed, Four Arrested

Authorities have registered a First Information Report based on a key witness statement. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Banihal, has been established to examine all aspects of the case.

Police confirmed that four individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Officials have stated that the investigation will follow due legal procedures and all angles, including the alleged involvement of cow vigilante groups, will be thoroughly examined.

Local Reaction and Highway Protest

The incident has sparked strong reactions in the region. MLA Sajjad Shaheen described it as an attempt to disrupt communal harmony, noting that people across communities have expressed concern and condemnation.

In response, local residents staged a protest by blocking a section of the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Ramsoo. Demonstrators demanded the immediate arrest of all individuals involved and called for strict action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Authorities are continuing both the search operation and the investigation as tensions remain high in the area.