Two physical teachers beaten, booked in Uri for ‘violating lockdown’
Had to attend COVID-19 training prog, say teachers; they had no pass: SDPO
Baramulla, Apr 22: Police on Wednesday booked two Physical Education Teachers (PETs) in north Kashmir’s Uri town for violating the lockdown guidelines.
The accused have been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Chalkoo and Javaid Ahmad Sheikh, both residents of Nambla, Uri, in Baramulla district.
“They have been booked under sections 188, 269, 353 and a case has been registered at police station Uri,” a police official told GNS.
However, the accused teacher Aijaz Ahmad Chalkoo alleged that he was beaten up by the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Uri near NS Bridge on Tuesday when he was going to attend a training program.
“I informed the cop on duty that we had to reach the BMO office Uri to attend an important COVID-19 training program following the orders of District Youth Service and Sports Officer Baramulla and District Coordinator for COVID-19 Training Programme Baramulla, but they didn’t listen to us,” Chalkoo said.
“In the meantime, SDPO Uri reached the spot. I proved my identity before him and told him that I along with my other colleagues have been directed to attend an important training program and requested him to allow us. But without listening, he started thrashing us ruthlessly. My arm got fractured and wrist has been dislocated,” he said.
It is unfortunate that we are not being allowed to implement government orders, another teacher Javaid Ahmad said. “We were directed to attend the training program but were not allowed. The matter should be investigated,” he said.
Chief spokesperson Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJCC) Khalid Mehmood in a statement said that he took up the matter with DC Baramulla. “He (DC) assured me that an action will be initiated into the matter,” he said.
SDPO Uri Mehraj Ud Din Raina termed the allegations as baseless. “They had no curfew pass or valid document to attend the training program,” he said, adding, “Strict action will be taken against whosoever violates the lockdown norms.”
SSP Baramulla Abdul Qayoom said he has not received any complaint regarding the matter. “We can begin inquiry into the matter only after the teachers approach us,” he said.
GNS
