'May 6 Kashmir doctor's strike is unlawful'

The Jammu and Kashmir human rights commission Saturday termed the proposed May 6 Valley-wide strike by doctors against an alleged fake drug scam in the state a "violation" of rights.

Panel member Rafiq Fida said the strike violates the orders of the Supreme Court.

The alleged scam recently surfaced after a government-appointed committee's order worth Rs.800,000 for the Maxizin 625 antibiotic, a combination of amoxycillin and clavenate, tested fake in laboratory analysis, prompting the Doctors Association of Kashmir calling for a valley-wide shutdown May 6 against the fiddle.

The rights panel also termed the strike as a "human rights violation".

The panel has asked the Kashmir Valley's director health services and the divisional commissioner to file responses as to what alternate arrangements have been made by them to ensure that patients do not suffer due to the May 6 strike.

The president of the local doctors association has also been asked by the rights panel to file his response by the next date fixed for hearing the case.