Kulgam: Chief Education Officer Kulgam has sought strict action against the former Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmad Laway after the latter allegedly manhandled him in front of his staff and other people at district hospital Kulgam.
The incident occurred after the killing of a lady teacher from Samba at Gopalpora village of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Eyewitnesses told news agency Kashmir News Trust that when the body of the slain teacher was brought to District Hospital Kulgam, besides, police and civil officials, former Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmed Laway also reached the hospital.
Eyewitnesses added that Nazir Ahmed Laway ‘without any reason and justification’ manhandled CEO Kulgam blaming him for the killing of the lady teacher.
They said some police officials intervened and whisked away Laway in their vehicle.
“It was an embarrassing moment for me. I was manhandled and thrashed in front of everyone including the teachers who had arrived at the hospital to express solidarity with the family. I too went to the hospital to express my condolences,” Chief Education Officer Muhammad Ashraf Rather told KNT adding that he has written to DC Kulgam seeking action against the former Rajya Sabha member.
Rather added that he will also file a police complaint against Nazir Laway.
“I was not expecting this kind of ‘hooliganism’ from a responsible person. It was shocking,” he said.
The lady teacher Rajni Bhalla from Samba district was shot dead by militants, in Gopalpora village of Kulgam in broad daylight. The slain teacher was posted at Government High School Gopalpora.
General Secretary Teachers Forum J&K, Khalid Mehraj while condemning the ‘assault’ said that it is sheer hooliganism to attack an officer who hails from the Chenab Valley. He said Teachers Forum will call a meeting to decide on the future course of action.
When contacted, Nazir Laway told KNT that the lady teacher who is from a downtrodden family was killed because of the ‘callous’ attitude of the Chief Education Officer.
“There are clear cut directions from the LG Manoj Sinha that employees from minority community should be posted in safe zones. Why she was not transferred from Gopalpora which is a ‘danger zone’. Even I am not allowed to visit Gopalpora sometimes,” Nazir Laway said adding that the blood of the lady teacher is on the hands of the Chief Education Officer.
Laway further said that after the killing of the poor teacher, a clerk showed him a transfer order claiming that this teacher had already been transferred. “The question is what this lady teacher was doing at Gopalpora School when she as per their claim had already been transferred. They are all lying and are responsible for the killing of this teacher,” he said and added that he will talk to the LG about this episode. (KNT)
