Srinagar: Terming the appointment of interim Director for Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) by the government on Thursday as the ‘mockery’ of judicial system in the state, various medico bodies, Friday in a joint presser said that the appointment was nothing but ‘disrespect to the entire judicial structure of the state’.

Dr A G Ahanger, who was sacked from the chair of Director SKIMS, had moved to the High Court wherein he had challenged the government order, according to which he was attached to the General Administration Department (GAD). The said government order was stayed by the High Court on Thursday.

However, after the High Court stayed the government order issued on January 6—which also implied that he was good to join the office on Friday, the government came with another order in which it appointed a senior faculty member of SKIMS as the interim Director—till further orders—the order stated:

According to the government order vide number 84-GAD of 2018 dated 11-01-2018, Dr Omar Javed Shah shall hold the charge of Dir SKIMS and Ex-officio Secretary to government in addition to his own duties till further orders.

The representatives on various medico bodies including Jammu and Kashmir Doctors Coordination Committee (JKDCC), which itself is an amalgam of various bodies including those from Jammu and Chenab valley, Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK), Resident Doctors Association (RDA), SKIMS, Resident Doctors Association (RDA), SMHS, National Rural Health Mission Employees Union and Jammu and Kashmir Dental Surgeons Association were present during the presser.

While castigating the government for not being realistic while dealing with the case of Dr A G Ahanger, Dr Mir Mushtaq, who is the spokesperson of JKDCC and Executive Member of DAK, said that what has happened is ‘unprecedented’ and has been humiliating for the entire doctor fraternity.

“The action that had been initiated by the government was uncalled for which has hurt the honour and dignity of doctors,” he said. However, he was quick to add that the doctor fraternity is ‘apparently’ having no problem with the suspension of other three faculty members.

Saying that the government has acted disrespectfully by issuing a ‘modified order’ on Thursday in which it appointed interim Director for SKIMS.

 “They have made a mockery of the judicial system by issuing another order that too after few hours of  High Court staying the attachment order of Dr Ahanger,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, President RDA, SKIMS Dr Zubair Ahmad said that they have been time and again asking the Additional Director SKIMS to convey to the government to come with the facts about the attachment order of Dr Ahanger, “but there has been no response so far,” he said.

Pertinently, RDA SKIMS is on strike from last four days, demanding reinstatement of Dr A G Ahanger, who as the representatives of JKDCC and RDA said “had no role, whatsoever, to play in the fiasco.”

RDA demanded that if there are any other allegations against Dr A G Ahanger, the government should come clean on the situation and should issue a public statement in this regard.

When asked what will be the future course of action for RDA, “There is an emergency meeting of SKIMS Governing Body going on in Jammu, our future course of action will be determined from the outcome of meeting,” he said, adding RDA is expecting that justice will be served and Dr A G Ahanger is reinstated with full honour.

Notably, DAK has threatened that it will start a state-wide agitation with doctors from across the state joining RDA who are fighting for a ‘just’ cause, if Dr A G Ahanger is not reinstated.

Guest