Srinagar, May 05 (KNO): Anantnag Police have registered an FIR against the wife and son of Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed in connection with the locking of a government-run health facility in Damhal Khoshipora in South Kashmir's Anantnag district.
An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that FIR No. 32/2026 has been registered at Achabal Police Station on the directions of a First Class Magistrate Kokernag. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of law, including charges of allegedly obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duties and intimidation.
The controversy centres around the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Damhal Khosipora, which was locked by the MLA’s wife. The move prompted immediate concern among locals and health authorities, as the facility caters to a large rural population.
Officials said that repeated attempts by the Health Department to persuade the family to reopen the hospital did not yield results, forcing the administration to step in. Acting on complaints from both the department and the public, the Tehsildar Kokernag, accompanied by a Magistrate, visited the spot and ordered the lock to be broken to restore services.
However, the building was allegedly locked again shortly after, further aggravating the situation.
The roots of the dispute trace back to 2008, when the MLA’s family had provided a building for establishing a Primary Health Centre under a registered society—Rogi Kalyan Samiti Syeda Memorial Hospital, PHC Damhal. Since then, the facility has remained operational, with the Health Department deploying staff, maintaining services, and funding infrastructure under schemes like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), RKS, and Capex budgets.
Over the years, multiple government agencies also contributed to the facility’s functioning, including provision of water supply, road connectivity, and payment of utility expenses.
However, earlier this year, MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syeed as per his family had written to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag, seeking relocation of the hospital on the grounds that the building had become dilapidated.
Following this, the CMO sought a detailed report from the Block Medical Officer (BMO). A medical officer submitted an assessment on April 24, and the matter was under official review when the hospital was locked, escalating the issue.
The incident gained widespread attention after videos surfaced on social media showing the MLA’s wife alleging that she was manhandled by the Tehsildar during the intervention. The administration, however, has denied these allegations.
Family members of the MLA have maintained that the building was provided only as a goodwill gesture and remains their private property. They have demanded that the government produce legal transfer documents if ownership has been formally handed over.
“We had informed the authorities months ago. The building is in a dilapidated condition and unsafe. It should be vacated,” a family member said, adding that no timely action was taken despite repeated communication.
On the other hand, officials termed the act of locking a functioning hospital as “unjustified” and said the matter could have been resolved amicably.
“We had assured them that the issue would be settled within a month. But locking the hospital, including ambulance and medical equipment, has directly impacted patient care,” an official said.
The fallout of the dispute has been severe for local residents, with doctors were forced to treat patients in a nearby shop due to the closure of the facility.
Locals expressed anguish over the situation, saying that the health centre is the only accessible medical facility in the area.
“Patients, especially the elderly and children, are suffering. We had to seek treatment in temporary setups,” a resident said, urging authorities to resolve the matter urgently.
Chief Medical Officer Anantnag, Dr. Khalid, confirmed that a substantial portion of the inquiry into the matter has already been completed.
“Nearly 90 percent of the components have been examined. The remaining aspects are being looked into, and the matter will now be dealt with legally,” he said—(KNO)