The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended a medical officer following a violent attack at Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua that left two people injured, including a nurse.
Dr. Zaheer Abbas, Medical Officer at Emergency Hospital Vijaypur, was placed under suspension through Government Order No. 732-JK (HME) of 2024, dated November 2, 2024, following his arrest in connection with the assault case.
According to police records, the incident occurred on October 31 near the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Training (ANMT) section of GMC Kathua. Dr. Abbas, a resident of Janipur, Jammu, allegedly attacked junior nurse Rahul Kotwal in what authorities describe as a personal dispute that turned violent. Another individual was also reportedly injured in the incident.
The Kathua Police have registered First Information Report (FIR) No. 0354 dated October 31, 2024, at Police Station Kathua, and have taken Dr. Abbas into custody. The exact circumstances that led to the confrontation remain under investigation.
Sources within the hospital administration indicate that the incident has raised serious concerns about workplace safety at medical institutions. The suspension order comes as part of the government’s swift response to the violent incident, underlining a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence in healthcare settings.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of security measures in medical institutions and the need for protocols to prevent such incidents. Local medical associations have called for enhanced security measures and clear guidelines for handling workplace disputes.
Hospital authorities have assured that patient care services remain unaffected, with additional staff deployed to ensure smooth functioning of the emergency services at both GMC Kathua and Emergency Hospital Vijaypur.
The investigation is ongoing, and local authorities have stated that further actions may be taken based on the findings of the police investigation.
