The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Ramban district was reopened for vehicular traffic on Monday afternoon after a four-hour blockade caused by protests in Makarkoot.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the disruption concluded after Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, and Senior Superintendent of Police Ramban, Arun Gupta, intervened and pacified the demonstrating individuals. Traffic movement on both sides of the vital artery had been halted due to the protests.
The district administration confirmed that action has been initiated concerning the incident that led to the protest, with four individuals taken into custody. Authorities have also pledged a transparent investigation into the matter, aiming to address the concerns that prompted the demonstration.
The protests were reportedly linked to the disappearance of a youth, Tanveer Ahmed Chopan, who has been missing since Sunday afternoon. Local accounts suggest that Chopan may have jumped into the Nallah Bishlari after being pursued and allegedly assaulted by unidentified miscreants. Search operations are currently ongoing to locate the missing youth, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) assisting in the extensive search effort.
Following assurances from the district authorities regarding investigations and action, the protesters eventually dispersed peacefully, allowing for the resumption of normal traffic flow on the national highway. The swift intervention aimed to minimize the impact on essential supplies and passenger movement along the critical route.
Advocate Feroz Khan, a senior Congress leader and former NSUI president from Pogal, also visited Makarkoot to engage with the affected family and district officials. He described the incident as regrettable and unacceptable, calling for stringent action against those found responsible. Khan emphasized the importance of maintaining the prevailing peace and communal harmony in the Ramban district, urging residents to remain united and prevent any attempts to disrupt the social fabric.
Meanwhile, Salman Nizami, a senior leader of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and a political commentator, strongly condemned the alleged incident in Makarkoot. Nizami shared on X that the victim was reportedly compelled to jump into a stream while attempting to evade alleged cow vigilantes, which subsequently led to his disappearance. He stated that he had spoken with DIG Ramban-Doda-Kishtwar Range, Shargun Shukla, who assured him of strict action against the culprits. Nizami has called for the immediate arrest of those involved and a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the youth’s disappearance.
Both political leaders and district officials have appealed for calm and cooperation from the public, emphasizing that the police and administration are diligently working to resolve the situation and ensure justice.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
