Won't allow jungle raj in J&K, says CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, April 14 (IANS) Reacting to the death of a person who jumped into the river after allegedly being chased by cow vigilantes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that he will not allow 'jungle raj' in the union territory.

Speaking to reporters in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district about the Ramban incident, which happened on Sunday, CM Abdullah said he won't allow jungle raj and that nobody would be allowed to disturb peace here.

The chief minister said the government aims to begin a new phase in Jammu and Kashmir, to make a fresh start, so that the atmosphere remains peaceful and conditions remain stable.

He added that there are some people who want to create a 'jungle raj' and want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

"There are people who do not like peace and instead want communal unrest and conflicts, as you have seen. I want to say that as long as my government remains in power, we will never allow such things to happen in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

He urged the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure strict action is taken against those involved in the Ramban death case and those who tried to disturb the law and order situation.

"This should send a strong message that such disorder and lawlessness will not be tolerated by the present government,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to probe the disappearance of a man who was ferrying cattle and is believed to have fallen into a stream after being allegedly chased and beaten up by four men in Ramban district.

The incident triggered public outrage with family members of the victim, identified as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan of Pogal, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) at Makerkoot for over three hours on Monday.

While locals alleged that Chopan was chased and attacked by cow vigilantes, police said a probe was on.

In a bid to escape the attackers, Chopan allegedly jumped into Bisleri Nullah near Makerkoot tunnel number 5 around 1.30 p.m. on Sunday and was washed away, said police.

An FIR has been registered at Ramsoo police station, and the four accused have been arrested.

Ramban District Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Ilyas Khan said, “An SIT has been constituted under sub-divisional police officer, Banihal, Surinder Singh Biloria.”

The youth ferrying the cattle had the necessary permission to ferry the bovines, the official added.

Though the victim’s chances of survival look grim, searchers from NDRF, SDRF, police and local volunteers have been roped in to trace him, said officials.