Srinagar, Oct 01: Kashmir Journalist Association (KJA) on Monday expressed shock and condemned the manhandling of a journalist by a doctor at his private clinic.
In a press release issued by the KJA, Dr Shan-i-Alam Shah, a gynecologist posted in Sub District Hospital (SDH) Tral manhandled the journalist Irfan Amin Malik at his clinic on Sunday when he was working on a story about absence of doctors in the hospital.
According to Irfan who works with Greater Kashmir, on Sunday he got a call from locals of Tral who informed him about the absence of doctors including Dr Shah, Gynaecologist in SDH Tral. “Some women patients were also crying in the hospital due to pain but there was no one to treat them,” he said.
“I reached the hospital, but did not see any doctor there. I spoke to patients and attendants who were agitated and anxious with the situation. I called BMO but he was at home. Based on the info, I went to Dr Shah’s private clinic which is in the close vicinity of the hospital. To my utter shock, the doctor was busy seeing the patient there. The time was around 12.30 pm and he was actually supposed to be on duty at SDH Tral. I tried to capture photos of his clinic in order to have solid evidence. But, the doctor dragged me to his cabin and grabbed my collar. In the attack, he hurt my throat, hands and torn my clothes and slipper,” Irfan narrated.
KJA has demanded strict action against the doctor.
The journalist body has urged Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo to take action against the doctor for manhandling the journalist and remaining absent from duty.
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