SMHS patients suffer as govt forces impose curfew on chemists

SMHS patients suffer as govt forces impose curfew on chemists




Srinagar, October 2: Patients at Srinagar's SMHS hospital are suffering due to non-availability of medicines in view of the "forced" closure of chemist shops in the hospital vicinity.

The chemists told Kashmir Dispatch that the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were not allowing them to open their shops on curfew days. They added that authorities have told them not to open on Sunday as well.

“Yesterday the police and the CRPF threatened to beat us if we did not close our shops,” said a chemist who, fearing reprisal, didn’t wish to be named.

Meanwhile, the attendants at the hospital are having a tough time. “There is only one shop inside the hospital where attendants have to wait for hours for their turn, and most of the medicines are not available. No other shops are open because of the curfew. We can’t even try other places due to the restrictions on movement?”

Meanwhile, sources revealed that despite intervention from the DC’s office, the police and the paramilitary refused to relent and allow the chemists to remain open.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Altaf, however, feigned ignorance about the police and CRPF dictum to chemists while Public Relations Officer CRPF, Prabahkar Tripathy declined to comment saying, “I cannot give any official statement, as I am not on duty. My son is ill and I am at SKIMS.”