14 more positive in Kashmir, total 1374

Probe after cardiologist allegedly harassed by police

SRINAGAR: In a significant reduction from last few days’ numbers, only 14 persons were found infected with Coronavirus on Monday in Kashmir region, which now has recorded a total of 1374 positive cases, with 620 among them active, 734 recovered and 20 dead.

The fresh cases include 5 from Anantnag, 3 from Kulgam, 3 from Srinagar and one each from Shopian Kupwara and Pulwama district.

In Srinagar, a 32-year-old pregnant woman and 30-year-old male tested positive. Both the patients were under home quarantine while the detail of the third patient was not known.

From Anantnag, a 36-year-old female, 31-year-old male, 26-year-old female—all from Kokernag, a 26-year-old male from Larnoo and a 55-year-old female from Bijbehara tested positive. Officials from Anantnag said that one among the positive case is a policeman who has performed duty in Red zone Kharpora.

A 28-year-old female from Tral in Pulwama, and a 50-year-old male from Chatteragam in Shopian also tested positive among others.

Meanwhile, Dr. Syed Maqbool, a senior Cardiologist posted at SMHS Hospital was allegedly mishandled by the Jammu and Kashmir police and was detained for hours, following which the police ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Dr Maqbool alleged that he was on call on Saturday and was stopped at Hawal area of downtown when he was on way to SMHS hospital.

“I was stopped by a cop and asked to go through an alternate route, where there was a huge traffic mess. I requested the police man to allow me to take the different route, showed him my identity card and pleaded before him repeatedly, but he refused," the doctor said. “When I disembarked from my vehicle, the policeman hit my stomach with the plastic cane in his hands.”

The doctor said he requested the police man to let him talk to his senior. “And when the Station House Officer of (Zadibal police station) came to the spot, he whisked me away to the police station and first thing he did is he snatched my phone.

“I requested him that I was on a call as being the interventional cardiologist and need to inform the Government Medical College (GMC) principal about the issue so that an alternate arrangement is made,” Dr Maqbool said. He alleged that the SHO didn’t allow him to use his phone and instead “warned him of consequences.” “I couldn’t attend my duty,” he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal said police will inquire the incident.

“I have asked SP Hazratbal to look into the issue and submit a report,” he said.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar also took a serious note of the incident.

A statement issued here by the police said that the IGP took serious notice of complaint appearing in some media circles about police personnel while discharging their duties on the road.
“He also instructed a senior officer to submit a facutla report regarding the same. IT was also reiterated that doctors, paramedics and police are jointly combatting Covid-19 and whatever incident has taken place , we shall look into them, conduct impartial enquiry and take due action,” the statement read.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 1668 positive cases, 836 are Active Positive, 809 have recovered and 23 have died; 03 in Jammu division and 20 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 134188 test results available, 132520 samples have been tested as negative till May 25, 2020. Additionally, till date 134873 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 30923 persons in-home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 60 in Hospital Quarantine, 836 in hospital isolation and 30521 under home surveillance. Besides, 72510 persons have completed their surveillance period.