Protests erupted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district after a man allegedly attacked by suspected cow vigilantes went missing, prompting locals to block the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway for several hours on Monday.
Residents gathered at Makerkoot in Ramsoo and staged a blockade that lasted over four hours, demanding information about the whereabouts of Tanveer Ahmad Chopan. Some protesters also alleged that internet speeds were reduced in the area following the demonstrations.
According to locals, Chopan was travelling from Jammu to his village Mundkhal in Pogal on Sunday when he was intercepted by two car-borne assailants. He was transporting a milch cow and two calves, described as his primary source of livelihood, when the alleged attack took place. Reports suggest that he may have jumped into Nallah Bishlari while trying to escape.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at Ramsoo Police Station, and four suspects have been detained. Search operations are underway, with a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to trace the missing man.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions.
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah said, “Hindu radicals in two vehicles ran him down, dragged him out, and beat him. He jumped (allegedly) into Nallah Bishlari to escape. His body has not been found. This is the fourth such case in Ramban.”
Ruhullah said that if the accused were Muslim, “they would already be booked under UAPA with a terrorist tag slapped overnight”.
“Instead, a softer word ‘cow vigilantes’ is preferred to describe them. We will call them what they are: terrorists,” he added.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti termed the incident “distressing”. “Mobile services were suspended to stop word from spreading. The truth is that gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) enjoy institutional impunity for cold-blooded murder,” Mufti said.
