Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was severely disrupted for over four hours on Monday when protesters staged a sit-in at Makarkoot in the Ramsoo sub-division of Ramban district. The demonstration, which began around 10 a.m., involved a large number of residents, including relatives of a missing youth from the Ramsoo, Makarkoot, and Pogal Paristan areas.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that vehicular movement remained completely halted at Makarkoot and several other points along the crucial highway in Ramban district due to the ongoing agitation. Officials stated that the protesters blocked the highway, leading to significant delays for commuters and commercial vehicles.
To address the situation and restore normalcy, the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Arun Gupta, rushed to the protest site. They were engaged in discussions with the demonstrators in an effort to de-escalate the situation. A substantial deployment of police personnel was made in the area to ensure law and order is maintained and to prevent any untoward incidents.
The protest was reportedly sparked by the disappearance of Tanveer Ahmed Chopan, a local youth. According to initial reports, Chopan allegedly jumped into the Nallah Bishlari on Sunday afternoon while attempting to evade individuals suspected of pursuing him in two vehicles. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are under investigation.
In response to the incident, rescue operations were launched immediately. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are collaborating with local police and volunteers from the Himalayan QRT Ramsoo to conduct extensive search efforts in the Nallah Bishlari and surrounding areas. The search aims to locate the missing youth.
Meanwhile, the police have taken action by arresting four individuals who are alleged to be involved in the incident leading to Chopan’s disappearance. To conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted. The SIT is tasked with gathering evidence, recording statements, and determining the sequence of events that led to the protest and the youth’s disappearance.
The blockade on the NH-44 caused considerable inconvenience to travellers and disrupted the supply chain of essential goods. Authorities are working towards a swift resolution to reopen the highway and ensure the safety and security of the region. The focus remains on the rescue operation for the missing youth and the ongoing police investigation into the alleged involvement of the arrested individuals.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
