KD Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 16: At a time when stories of anguish and protests from quarantine centres in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district over lack of unhygienic food and unsanitary conditions are going viral on social media every day, the court has taken cognizance of the matter directing that the Covid – 19 patients are given proper treatment and food as prescribed under guidelines.
The court also directs Senior Superintendent of Police [SSP] Kupwara to constitute a Special Investigation Team [SIT] for investigating the matter without any delay. It asks the SSP to submit a report before the court within seven days.
The Court of Sub Judge Kupwara Mr Javeed Alam while hearing the complaint passed the order which reads, “From the perusal of complaint, annexures annexed with the complaint and also having watched the video footage of the Covid Centre, this court is satisfied that there are sufficient grounds to proceed in the matter.
As such the complaint along with all the annexures as well as video footage is forwarded to Senior Superintendent of Police [SSP] Kupwara through Ld. APP Kupwara with the direction to constitute a SIT headed by any Gazetted Officer for investigating the matter without any delay and shall submit the report before the court within seven days from the date of receipt of this order”.
It further reads, “Copy of this order is forwarded to District Development Commissioner [DDC], Kupwara being head of the District Disaster Management to ensure that the Covid 19 patients are given proper treatment and proper food as prescribed under guidelines.
Earlier, the Covid 19 Positive Patients, Isolation Centre, University Campus Wayan Kupwara through Advocate Rayees ul Ahad Akhoon – Amicus Curie, District Court, Kupwara alleging that they are not receiving the treatment and food in “conformity” with the national guidelines complained that the concerned authorities throwing norms to winds have kept symptomatic and asymptomatic patients together without any proper requirements at the Isolation facility posing a serious health risk to all.
Coming down heavily on the concerned nodal officer for his alleged unprofessional and negligent approach, the complainants have alleged that the doctors as well as paramedical staff don’t bother to visit the patients for their proper medical supervision.
The complainants demanding proactive measures to ensure safe and better quarantine have complained of acute shortage of water and electricity shortage at the Covid 19 Isolation Centre. Apprehending jeopardising of the very purpose for which the facilities were set up further they rue that even the sweepers don’t bother to discharge their duties.
Pertinently, the court in its order a copy of which lies with this correspondent reads, “while going through the video other Covid patients are found cleaning/ washing the Covid centre themselves which is very strange and horrible. A positive Covid 19 patient admitted in the facility is supposed to take rest and proper medication and is required to be kept in hygienic atmosphere but unfortunately in the present case it seems that Covid patients have been forced to act as sweepers which is totally against the guidelines issued by World Health Organisation [WHO] and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare [MoHFW], Government of India [GOI].
