Panel to inquire into threats by Pulwama civic body chief to doctors

PULWAMA — Authorities in Pulwama district have taken cognizance of a video in which Municipal Committee President Pulwama Bilal Ahmad Rather was seen threatening doctors at District Hospital Pulwama.

An official order, taking note of the video which went viral on social media and drew strong condemnation from civil society, said the Jammu and Kashmir Doctors Coordination Committee approached the district administration with a representation alleging Rather barged into the duty room of doctors at 6:30 PM and hurled abuses.

“The doctor concerned had felt so much threatened and intimidated but had still managed his duties overnight without any compromise despite huge mental trauma. He used unparliamentary language and also interfered in the discharge of legitimate duties by doctors. The Doctors Association is aggrieved of such unbecoming behaviour and prays for early action against the erring group,” said the order, as per the news agency KNO.

It said that a panel led by Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama is constituted for enquiry and it will submit its report after conducting a thorough enquiry within a period of five days.

Besides ADC, Chief Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Pulwama, Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Tehsildar Pulwama and Deputy Superintendent of Police Pulwama will be members of the committee.

An application submitted by the hospital staff and addressed to SHO Pulwama said that at 6:15 PM on February 27, “few miscreants” barged into the room and in rude behaviour, asked why a patient had been asked to undergo USG outside the hospital after 4:30 PM.

They obstructed patient care which could have caused death or a serious complication to critical patients admitted in the casualty and emergency section, it added while seeking assurance about their safety. “We request your good self to lodge an FIR under relevant sections,” it said.

Meanwhile, an unnamed police official was quoted by the news agency as having said that a case bearing FIR No. 40 of 2023 under Section 353, 506 IPC at Police Station Pulwama and further investigation has been taken up.

On the other hand, the Municipal Committee President said that he feels sorry for using abusive language but said that the full story is not being shown in the video.