Srinagar, Oct 15: The meeting between the Advisor and faculty members of SKIMS Bemina irked the Principal JVC to the extent that he directed the Security Staff to close the gate of the hospital and don’t let in those doctors who met Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

The incident occurred on 13th of this month at around 2 pm.

Dr Naseer Mir, HoD Orthopedics who is also the president of ‘Faculty Forum SKIMS Medical College Bemina’ led a delegation to meet the Advisor to Lieutenant Governor R.R Bhatnagar at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

Dr Syed Khurshid, Vice President, and HoD Microbiology as well as Coronaviurs Officer, Dr Basharat, Dr Farooq and Dr Javaid were some of the persons’ part of the delegation.

“We had an appointment with the Advisor and during the meeting, we discussed issues related to Medical College and patient care. The Advisor gave a patient hearing and assured that all the grievances will be addressed,” Dr Naseer Mir told News Agency KNT adding that they were shocked when they found In-Charge Principal JVC SKIMS Bemina Dr Reyaz Untoo roaming in the Secretariat corridors after they came out from the chamber of the Advisor.

The group of doctors left the Secretariat but to their utter shock found the main hospital gate closed.

“On the directions of the Principal we were not let in while security men on the gate clearly informed us that they have verbal directions from the Principal not to allow us inside the hospital.”

Mir said that despite repeated requests the security men didn’t open the gate. “Security men opened the gate for a vehicle that was supposed to leave the hospital and during this process, we entered into the hospital. As we entered, the security men stopped us and manhandled us. It were some Resident Doctors who intervened and saved us from facing further embarrassment,” Dr Naseer Mir said adding after contacting the Principal, he admitted that on his directions security men stopped them on the gate.

When asked why the Principal can do this and what are his motives, he said the Principal Dr Reyaz Untoo is supposed to attain superannuation in January next year and he desperately wants extension in his services. “He is trying hard to get an extension. We have already opposed the ‘extension-syndrome’ that is against the government policy. He was infuriated after learning about our meeting with the Health Advisor. For his personal gains, he closed the gate where a patient makes an entry,” he said.

When contacted, Principal Dr Reyaz Untoo told KNT that: “Since there is Covid-19 pandemic and everyone uses face masks so it sometimes is very difficult for outsourcing security-men to identify the people. Instead of approaching the media, they should have lodged a complaint with the hospital authority.”

Dr Untoo said that these doctors had left the hospital without the permission of hospital authority and due to Covid-19 pandemic, hospital gate remains usually closed while there are strict orders not to allow trespassing. “We will still investigate the matter and fix the responsibility,” he added. (KNT)