SMC employees protest against attack on sanitary officer

Srinagar, March 25: The employees of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday demanded the arrest of corporator’s husband, who allegedly hurled a stone at the sanitary officer, on assault charges.

Staging protest at SMC office under the banner of Srinagar Municipal Employees and Workers Co-Ordination Committee (SMEWCC), condemned the attack and demanded his immediate arrest.

Husband of Nayeema, representing ward number 32 had allegedly hurled a stone at sanitary officer, Shabir Ahmad Akhoon on Saturday at Hyderpora while he was inspecting the sanitation drive.

Akhoon had suffered injury in his head and was taken to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, where he received three stitches.

Talking to the Kashmir Monitor, Shabir Ahmad Akhoon said that “at the time of attack, I was on duty,” adding, “I was monitoring the sanitation drive at Hyderpora.”

Akhoon recollecting the entire episode said that it all started when the corporator approached him asking to put in the signatures on Individual House Hold Latrine (IHHL) forms.

“I told her that I have to go through the details, verify the particulars. But she wasn’t listening and wanted me to put in my signatures immediately.  In the meantime her husband came to the spot and hurled a stone. I received injury in my head,” he said.

Speaking about the incident, the corporator’s husband said that sanitary officer allegedly misbehaved with him and his wife.

“I lost my temper. I had to get the signatures on the forms. They were already verified, only signatures were required,” he said.

Chairman, SMEWCC, Maqbool Malik demanded stern punishment against Nayeema’s husband.

“We staged protest today (Monday) in the SMC complex. We hope the authorities would take serious note of the attack. We don’t want people to suffer,” he said.

Deputy mayor, SMC, Sheikh Imran said that nobody is above law.

“I have full sympathy with the injured employee. Police has initiated the investigation. Let it reach to the conclusion,” he said.

When contacted, Station House Officer (SHO), Sadder, Rayees Ahmad said that FIR has been lodged to ascertain the facts and investigation was going on.