J&K man missing after 'attacked by cow vigilantes'; SIT probe underway, highway blocked in protest

Scores of people blocked the National Highway in Banihal area of Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday against the disappearance of Tanvir Ahmad Chopan, who has been missing for the last two days.

Family members and locals alleged that Chopan, who is in his twenties, was intercepted, thrashed and chased by some “miscreants” who were allegedly “cow vigilantes” when he was driving a vehicle carrying a domestic cow and her calves, for which he had permission. As per the family members and witnesses, Chopan was last seen jumping into canal locally known as ‘Battery Chashma’.

Police have registered a case and formed an SIT to investigate the matter. As of now, four persons identified by the witnesses have been detained. They have urged people not to pay heed to rumours and wait for official confirmation and details about the incident.


“I was informed by police on phone when I was on duty in Banihal. A case has been registered at Ramsu police station but the accused were shifted to Banihal. I want justice. He has been targeted by hooligans who should be punished,” Salam ud Din, father of Chopan, who works in the police department told ET. He said Chopan is his only son.

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“He worked in a factory and was driving a Tata vehicle in which he was carrying a cow and her calves for which he has permission. He was allowed to go at a police checkpost but was intercepted and thrashed by some goons,” said Salam ud Din.

The ruling National Conference legislator from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, said some people in Digdol, who follow the “saffron ideology”, are hell bent on disturbing communal harmony in this area.

“These hooligans follow the saffron ideology and want to create a wedge between communities, who have lived peacefully since 1947,” Shaheen told ET. He said if the administration doesn’t take strict action, he will join people on the streets for justice.

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A delegation from the Gujjar- Bakerwal nomadic community presented a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu demanding justice and stoppage of crimes against the nomadic community.

“This is a season of nomadic migration and we are facing threats and harassment in different areas from some people/miscreants. Some of them are even extorting money from our community who are shifting to cooler places,” said Javed Ahmad, who was part of a delegation in Jammu. He said this case was a “result of continuous harassment the community faces in different areas”.

J&K police have urged people to maintain calm. “As per the eyewitnesses and CCTV footage, a person later identified as Tanvir has come down from the vehicle and jumped into the canal. We are investigating the matter and the circumstances in which he jumped. People should refrain from paying heed to rumours and wait for the investigation by the SIT to complete,” Arun Gupta, SSP of Banihal, told reporters.