Srinagar: The students at GDC Srinagar Tuesday suspended their strike for one week after the assurance from the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir wherein he assured the students that their demands will be met within the period of seven days.

“On the directions and assurance of worthy Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir that all our grievances will be addressed and academics will be streamlined, we are suspending the strike,” the statement issued by the students said.

The students union of the Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH) Srinagar also has hailed the J&K Government for its decision wherein it ordered the attachment of the Head of the Orthodontics Department, Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq.

“It is a welcome step towards streamlining the academics and administration of the GDCH, which has taken a hit over the past several years,” the statement issued by newly formed students union said.

The students union has further demanded that the Government should issue a formal order “to appoint a permanent academic in-charge/guide for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students of the Orthodontics Department.”

The representatives of the students Tuesday met Divisional Commissioner, who asked them call of the strike and in weeks time their grievances will be addressed.

“On the directions and assurance of Worthy Divisional Commissioner Kashmir that all our grievances will be addressed and academics will be streamlined, we are suspending the strike,” students said.

They further said that their protest will continue until the government “issues an order to appoint permanent academic in charge of the Orthodontics department in place of Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq.”

While saying that GDCH administration has adversely affected over the years due to a caretaker Principal, Dr. Reyaz Farooq since 2004, the students said that “in the interest of the GDCH administration and academics, we demand government should make a permanent arrangement for the post of Principal,” The inaction on part of the Principal forced us to go for the strike, they added.

Students reiterated that Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq was harassing and forcing us to do his personal work including car wash, ferrying family members to airport and kids to school, and also do his work at his private clinic ‘Smile King’ at Karan Nagar locality in Srinagar.

Pertinently, the students at GDC were on continuous strike for last 12 days now, demanding immediate removal of Dr Muhammd Mushtaq, due to which—apart from disruption in academics—patient care had also taken a hit.

The students have thanked Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Baghat, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, Asiea Naqash, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed, SDM Srinagar, Doctors Association Kashmir, J&K Society of Dental Surgeons, J&K Doctors Coordination Committee, students and journalists for their continuous support.

Guest