Medical Team Attacked By Locals In J&K's Budgam District

An FIR has now been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in this regard. This incident again lifted concerns for the safety and security of medical professionals.

Photo: PTI

Srinagar: Recently another incident of health workers getting attacked by locals came into light. A crew of healthcare workers was attacked and held captive inside a house in Wathora of Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district. They were here to visit the area and screen locals for the novel Coronavirus when it was subjected to such hostilities. Amod Nagpure, the Superintendent of Police (Budgam) said, "The team had gone for their work and apparently there was some altercation with the household which they were visiting. The medical team sent an SOS to the police station and when our party arrived, some locals pelted stones at them. Three policemen have also been injured". Although the police managed to rescue the healthcare workers. The SP further added, "An FIR has now been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in this regard. "We have taken action and registered a case. All those people who are involved in such things that hinder the work of these officials will be taken to task". This incident again lifted concerns for the safety and security of medical professionals. A doctor from the union territory said, "If we face such things, then who is going to do all the work at this time of the crisis". The government has strictly warned people to prevent from making the job of the field staff difficult. Atal Dhullo, the Commissioner Secretary (Health) , Jammu and Kashmir said, "These doctors and other medical staff are putting their lives at risk and going to places people shouldn't attack them like this". Until April 12, Jammu and Kashmir has 207 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including four deaths and six patients who recovered after testing positive for the infection. And thousands have been put under surveillance either due to their travel histories or contact with confirmed patients.