EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 21: Showing thumbs to COVID-19 protocol, a Deputy Director ranked officer reached Poonch from Kashmir via Jammu while reportedly he remained unchecked at various check points.
In the time of COVID-19 pandemic, when commoners travelling with valid passes issued by the concerned District Magistrate, are reportedly being harassed at various check points falling along the way, a senior officer abusing his official position violated the guidelines allegedly risking many lives.
“The officer was promoted on May 5, 2020 as Deputy Director and posted in Kashmir Valley. On May 7, he left for Kashmir and joined his new place of posting, meanwhile, he attended several meetings, as same was shared on social media by the officer”, sources said, adding that yesterday, he returned back from Kashmir to Jammu and today around 11am he proceeded for his home town in Poonch district.
“Almost all the districts of Kashmir division have been declared as red zones while Jammu region’s Ramban district on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is also under the same category. Udhampur and Jammu in Jammu division have also active corona patients. How, despite so many vigilant check points along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway he reached here while remaining unchecked”, sources questioned and added that the officer entered Rajouri district skipping main checkpoint Sunderbani, the gateway for the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
“Time and again, news of harassment at Sunderbani has been in limelight, but the Dy Director, who prior to his promotion had served in district Rajouri got rousing welcome rather being checked as per the protocol”, they said.
ADC Sunderbani, Vinod Kumar when contacted said, “I will check today’s record of passengers, who passed from Sunderbani check point, and let you know tomorrow.”
However, the Dy Director when contacted said that he had been under home quarantine after returning from Kashmir, but avoided answer of more questions and switched off his mobile phone. Concerned SDM when contacted also tried to escape the queries and said, “I’m busy in arrangement for the people to be put on quarantine, I will talk to you later”, he added.
Deputy Commissioner, Poonch Rahul Yadav when contacted, said, “I was not aware of it. The protocol will be followed, certainly, we will keep him under quarantine”, he added. |
