Search and rescue efforts intensify after J&K man jumps into stream during cow transport attack; Omar slams ‘jungle rule’

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Search and rescue teams fanned out on a mountain stream in J&K’s Ramban district on Tuesday, on the third day of the search and rescue operation for a 25-year-old man who risked his death after he jumped into the water while evading assailants who chased him while transporting cattle.centimeter Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, calling it a “mistake” and accusing the attackers of “murdering innocent people.”“These people have taken the law into their own hands. Who gave them this right? Where does it say that whoever ferries cattle is involved in illegal activities?” Omar told reporters in Anantnag. “They are gangsters. They want to enforce the law of the jungle here.”Police identified the missing man as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, a resident of Ukhral area in Ramban. Chopan was driving a pickup truck carrying a cow and two calves from Jammu to his village on Sunday when he was allegedly chased, intercepted and beaten by two vehicles. Officials said he jumped into a creek near Ramsu while trying to escape and has since disappeared.Umar urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure strict action. “Strict action must be taken against those who try to disturb the peace. This will send a message that hooliganism and jungle rule will not be tolerated in J&K,” he said.More than 100 personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, police and local volunteers searched the downstream area, focusing on large rocks that could have trapped the bodies. Banihal, Batote and Udhampur reinforced the troops.The police formed a special investigation team and arrested four people based on an FIR registered at Ramsu police station.Anger spilled onto the streets as residents blocked Ramban Makkoot in Jammu-Srinagar N.H. for about four hours on Monday. Traffic resumed after officials, including DC Mohammad Alyas Khan and SSP Arun Gupta, assured a transparent probe.Internet services, which were briefly disrupted in Ramban to curb rumours, have now been restored. Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen said residents of various communities condemned the attack and called for accountability and calm.