1. Home
2. Jammu Kashmir

Police in damage control mode, greet doctors with flowers

MAJID NABI. Dated: 5/27/2020 11:45:07 PM

SRINAGAR, May 27: After facing severe criticism for allegedly ‘humiliating’ doctors over the past few days in Kashmir, police as a goodwill gesture greeted doctors with flowers at several city hospitals here today.
The step according to officials was taken to ensure doctors who have been at forefront to fight deadly Corona-Virus since its outbreak in the valley feel secured as several amongst them including CMO Bandipora and a senior cardiologist posted at SMHS hospital here alleged harassment by the police.
Reports said the cops with faces covered with masks could be seen presenting bouquets to the doctors at Lal Ded maternity hospital entry gate here this morning. Similar reports were received from some other places of the valley where doctors received bouquets from police as a friendly gesture.
It may be in place to mention that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar ordered probe into the allegations of harassment by police. He also directed SSP’s of all districts of the valley to facilitate smooth passage to doctors whom he claimed are the frontline warriors.
Two days after a senior cardiologist post at SMHS hospital Srinagar, Dr Syed Maqbool accused police of detaining and manhandling him; CMO Bandipora, Dr Tajamul Hussain lost his cool and rebuked some cops deployed at a check post in Nasoo Bandipora for halting his official vehicle on Tuesday.
Dr Maqbool alleged that he was crossing Hawal Chowk when he was stopped by a policeman and asked to take a different route. He said despite showing his I-card and the hospital’s duty roster to show that he was the cardiologist on call that day, cop did not listen anything.
“On May 23, I was the cardiologist on call for SMHS and all other associated hospitals. I requested the cop to allow me to pass as I was already getting late. However, the cop started abusing me. I got off my vehicle and asked him to confer with someone at his office, which enraged the policeman further. He started hitting me with his baton. In the meantime, the station house officer (SHO) arrived and dragged me to the police station,’’ said Dr Maqbool.
Police action evoked resentment from the doctors and paramedic staff in Kashmir against alleged harassment by police.