‘FIR stands registered against him’
Srinagar: Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Jammu and Kashmir in its report has claimed that incumbent Director Sher-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, Dr Showkat Ali Zargar had affiliations with militant organization Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front in 1990-91.
The report has further said that during 2010 unrest, the said doctor led a procession of Doctors and Para-medicos in SKIMS Soura to express solidarity with the separatists and for this action an open FIR vide number 70/2010 under section 124-A RPC has been registered in Police Station Soura but no arrest was made in this regard.
Ironically, the incumbent Director came under fire from his opponents for trying to be an ardent supporter of National Conference. In a reply to the serious charges being levelled against him, from time to time, Showkat Zargar, in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khanday had alleged that some newspapers and others have been engaged in writing baseless, doctored and false allegations”. Instead of giving proper reply, Zargar in his letter had claimed that, “SKIMS has been established by the beloved leader and visionary late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and he had great attachments with this SKIMS for healing of ailments of the people of Kashmir.”
A well known doctor on condition of anonymity told CNS that there are different laws for affluent people. “A downtrodden never on earth gets passport if he is found involved in any activity that does not suit to the Government but, the example lies with us that instead of adverse CID report Dr Showkat Zargar he enjoyed trips to abroad and his passport was not cancelled,” he said adding that some people change sides with the passage of time to reap maximum benefits.
The copy of CID report lying with CNS reveals that Dr Showkat Zargar had sought permission from the government to participate in Cross LOC conclave at Istanbul, however, the CID Jammu and Kashmir in its letter addressed to Principal Secretary Home J & K government Jammu vide letter No CID/NGO/ 296O dated 17th, November, 2011, titled “Participation in cross LOC Conclave at Istanbul (Nov 22-26) in respect of Director SKIMS Soura” writes “The background of Showkat Ali Zargar, Director SKIMS Soura is that he has remained affiliated with JKLF militant outfit in 1990-91.”
The Director was discharged from services in 1993 and after his return from Saudi Arabia in 1998, he was re-engaged. “He later went to Saudi Arabia in 1992 and was discharged from service in 1993. After his return from Saudi Arabia in 1998, he was re-engaged in SKIMS Soura in Gastroenterology faculty. During this period he continued his sympathies with JKLF,” reads the report.
The CID report in response to Home department Letter number Home/Permission (Misc/ 2011-44- dated 15, November 2011) furnished by the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) further says that, ‘during 2010 unrest, he led a procession of doctors and paramedics in SKIMS Soura to express solidarity with the separatists. For this action, an open FIR 70/2010 u/s 124-A RPC has been registered in Police Station Soura. However no arrest was made,” reads the CID report.