Senior Kashmir doctor alleges police harassment, cop says he was pushed first

A senior heart specialist of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar has lodged a police criticism and alleged that he was overwhelmed and harassed by the policeman deployed on the highway whereas he was on his technique to work just lately.

In his criticism, Dr Syed Maqbool alleged that on May 23 morning when he was crossing the Hawal Chowk on his technique to the hospital he was stopped by a policeman and requested to show again and use one other route. The physician reportedly displayed his id card and even confirmed the cop his obligation roster. But the policeman allegedly didn’t pay attention.

“On that day, I was the cardiologist on call for SMHS Hospital and all other associated hospitals. I requested the policeman to allow me to pass as I was already getting late due to a traffic jam. Instead the cop started abusing me. I got down from my vehicle and asked him if he wanted to talk to his office, which enraged him and he started hitting me with his baton. In the meantime, the Station House Officer came running and dragged me into the police station,” Dr Maqbool mentioned.

The police have, nonetheless, on receipt of the criticism mentioned the matter will probably be probed and in addition blamed the physician for allegedly attempting to manhandle the policeman on obligation on that highway.

According to the physician, contained in the police station, the officer snatched his telephone and his id card. “Despite my repeated requests to call my HOD and the Principal of the Medical College as I was on call to deal with emergencies, the officer harassed me and termed doctors as thieves who indulge only in selling duplicate medicines and taking commission.”

“Noticing his arrogant behavior and knowing that patients would suffer and could die, I apologized to the officer and after that he allowed me to make a call to my colleagues for arranging someone to take care of the patients. It was only after my brother came and submitted a bond that I was released from police custody. My vehicle is still with the police,” the physician mentioned.

Dr Maqbool additional added that the SHO threatened him that he shouldn’t inform anyone how he landed in police custody. “The officer was so rude that he threatened to strip me naked. For me, it was pure torture which I received that too while performing Covid19 duties.”’

After his launch as a substitute of going dwelling, Dr Maqbool walked on foot six kilometers to the hospital and carried out two angioplasties within the morning. “I am a senior interventional cardiologist who has represented the state and country at multiple and national and international forums with multiple awards to my credit and if this is the behaviour I get what will our juniors face at a time when the whole world is dealing with a deadly disease killing thousands daily,” he questioned.

Dr Maqbool additionally denied that he had tried to manhandle the policeman on obligation. “The policemen are lying. There are CCTV cameras at the Hawal Chowk and the footage will reveal everything. If I am found guilty, I am ready to face harsh punishment. But I want action against the arrogant officer.”

Principal, Medical College Srinagar, Dr Samia Rashid mentioned that she had taken up this problem with all the highest officers of the administration who had promised motion. “The doctor was on call and still he was stopped and jailed. This issue has demoralized our doctors, especially the doctors who are our frontline workers and they were ready to go on general strike against this rude behaviour by the local police,” she mentioned.

SSP Srinagar, Haseeb Mughal mentioned that physician had reportedly tried to manhandle the policeman. “We have already filed a complaint against the doctor since he reportedly manhandled a policeman when he was coming from the wrong side. When the policeman stopped the doctor he pushed him saying that he was in a hurry. Now, he has sent me a complaint so I have also assigned the SP Hazratbal to enquire into the issue. We have already taken legal cognizance of his misconduct,” the’ SSP Srinagar mentioned including that the matter can be probed.

“If our policemen are at fault, disciplinary action will be taken but at the same time we will not allow anybody to manhandle and misbehave with police personnel who are on the job 24/7,” he mentioned.

The problem has created fairly an uproar on social media in Srinagar and plenty of docs have been mentioning that that is how frontline employees in Kashmir are being handled by the police.