GDCH: HoD accused of harassment attached

BMO Budgam attached too

SRINAGAR : Buckling under the agitation which the students of Government Dental College and Hospital were holding for removal of Head of Orthodontics department, the government Monday attached Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq, accused by his students of harrassment.

"In the interest of the administration, Dr. Mushtaq HoD Orthodontics of the GDCH is hereby attached with the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir till further orders,” reads an order issued by the government.

Mushtaq has been attached after he was indicted by the one-man enquiry committee constituted by the government last week into the student complaints of harassment against him.

The government had asked Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed as inquiry officer into the issue.

On March 14, Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat had exclusively told The New Now that he will take action against the accused official.

"I will take action in two days after the inquiry report is submitted,” the minister had said.

Dr Mushtaq, who is also the guide of post-graduate students, was harassing and forcing his students to do his personal work including car washing, ferrying family members to airport and kids to school and forcing them to do manual jobs at his private clinic.

Feeling humiliated over the daily harrasment, the students protested against Mushtaq's behaviour for over a month from January 4 and sought his removal as a guide.

The students then called off the strike after assurance by the GDCH Principal Dr Riyaz Farooq, however, the head took no action.

Angered by the principal's false promise, the students resumed the strike this month which forced the government to inquire into the allegations.

On Saturday, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Asiea Naqash had met the students and faculty of GDCH to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, government on Monday attached Dr Anjum Quadir, In charge Block Medical officer Budgam with Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.

“Pending final outcome of enquiry into the embezzlement made in Block Budgam, Dr Anjum Quadir, In charge Block Medical officer Budgam is hereby attached to DHSK with immediate effect till further orders,” reads a government order.

“Consequent upon the above DR A G Raina, District Health Officer Budgam shall look after the work of Block Budgam. He shall also hold the DDO powers for the Budgam,” the order reads.