· One critical, another stable, accused arrested case registered: Police
· Fully cooperating with police: Principal GMC
· Not safe at our workplace, staged protest say employees
Srinagar, Nov 02: A junior nursing staff member is battling for his life at Amritsar hospital and another worker was also injured after allegedly being stabbed by a doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua, police on Saturday said.
The injured have been identified as Rahul Vikas Kotwal, a Junior Staff Nurse at GMC Kathua, and Vivek Sharma (Sethi), an outsourced canteen worker, who was also wounded in the stabbing incident. The accused, Dr. Zaheer Abbas from Jammu, has been apprehended by the police.
In-charge GMC Kathua, ASI Ajeet Kumar told Rising Kashmir stabbing incident took place near the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Training (ANMT) section after the duo had some confrontation over some personal issue. Later Vivek Sharma, a canteen operator, tried to intervene during the assault and was also injured. Kotwal suffered multiple stab wounds in neck, chest and abdomen, he said.
ASI Kumar said accused Dr. Zaheer Abbas, who is working at Vijaypur Hospital was apprehended on the spot and we have registered a FIR NO 354/24 at Police Station Kathua.
“Dr Abbas is a resident of Janipur area of Jammu and his phone has been seized, further investigation is underway in the case,” he said.
ASI Kumar further said that Rahul Vikas Kotwal, a Junior Staff Nurse is resident of Doda, while Vivek Sharma (Sethi) is local from Kathua. He is outsourced employee of a agency, deputed at Canteen of GMC Kathua.”
Another police officer at District Police Lines Kathua said that the case is being investigated through multiple angles and CCTV footage of the college is being analysed. Dr Abbas will go through interrogation and facts will be shared with the general public, he said.
“We have registered a case in this matter and further investigation is underway,” officer said.
Principal of GMC Kathua, Dr. Surinder Kumar told Rising Kashmir that the incident occurred at 5:45 PM on October 31, near the residential quarters adjacent to the ANMT building. Two persons, including Junior Nursing Staff member Rahul Vikas Kotwal, sustained critical injuries.
“Following the incident, both injured were initially treated at the hospital. Kotwal suffered multiple injuries to his neck, abdomen, and deep cuts on his hands. We did our utmost to provide the best care possible. During a two-hour operation, he received 25 liters of fluid and six pints of blood under FFP( Fresh Plasma Protein) ,” he said.
Dr Surinder said that once after several hours, he was stabilized and was referred to GMC Jammu for advanced treatment. However, his family later chose to transfer him to Amandeep Hospital in Amritsar for further care, where he is currently battling for his life at ICU, he said.
“The other injured canteen worker, locally known as ‘Sethi Bhai’ is stable but also sustained multiple injuries. We are fully cooperating with the police and whatever they require will be provided in the investigation,” Principal GMC Kathua said.
Meanwhile, employees at the hospital expressed shock over the incident and called for increased safety measures including security to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
A senior employee at the hospital said that it is unfortunate such incidents have occurred within its premises. There is a need for security checks at the hospital gates to prevent sharp weapons or any other dangerous items from being brought inside.
“The hospital admin should install CCTV camera, provide security in every corner of the hospital to help deter such incidents in the future,” he said, adding they are not safe at their workplaces.
On Friday and Saturday employees also staged a protest outside Principal’ Office and demanded security in the hospital premises.
State President AIRNF, Vishav Sharma on Saturday demanded justice for the Rahul Kotwal and another victim Vivek Sharma. He also demanded security for the hospital and urged intervention to act against the culprits.
