Srinagar: The government enquiry ordered to probe the incident of forcing a government school teacher to rub his forehead on the sputum of an official, has missed its first deadline.

The probe was ordered on December 16 by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag after a  teacher was reportedly forced to rub his forehead on the sputum by Sub District Magistrate Kokernag, triggering massive protests by teachers in the district.

As per the order issued by DC Anantnag, Assistant Commissioner Tevenue (ACR) Syed Shabir Ahmad was appointed as enquiry officer to probe the matter “that has led to an ugly turn of events in the SDM office Kokernag.”

“The enquiry officer will complete the enquiry and shall submit the report to Deputy Commissioner Anantnag within a period of 10 days for initiating further action in the matter,” reads the order issued by DC Anantnag on December 16.

However, despite the passage of 10 days since the probe was ordered the enquiry officer is yet to complete the probe and submit it to the Deputy Commissioner.

The delay in completion of report has enraged the teachers who accuse the administration of having indifferent attitude towards the teaching community.

“Had the administration been serious about it, the probe would have been completed. The reason is they don’t want to take action against the SDM who insulted a teacher,” a group of angry teachers said.

They said that education minister also didn’t take the grave issue seriously.

“Earlier, the education minister had claimed to take up the matter with the Chief Secretary, but nothing happened on grounds,” they said.

Notably, senior officials have become habitual of insulting teaching community as recently higher secondary principals were rebuked by principal secretary higher education department, Asgar Samoon who asked a Principal to count days of an year.

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Muhammad Younus said the inquiry officer was probing the Kokernag incident professionally and will submit his report very soon.

“He is at it and will complete the probe in a shortest possible time,” he said.

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