Pulwama-attack aftermath: Kashmiri doctor threatened to leave Kolkata, state helps
What's the story
A Kashmiri doctor, who has been living in Kolkata for 22 years, has claimed that he has been asked to leave the city or face "dire consequences" following the Pulwama terror strike that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
The doctor, however, has decided to stay put after the West Bengal government came to his rescue.
Read the details here.
Details
Men started threatening doctor a day after Pulwama attack
The doctor, who did not wish to be named, said he was heckled but he had not paid much heed to the threats he had received initially.
However, his concern grew when some men gathered outside his residence and threatened to harm his daughter unless he "returned to Pakistan".
The threats and warnings started on February 15, a day after the Pulwama attack.
Threats
Heckled by those men, threatened with dire consequences: Doctor
On February 15, five men aged between 20 and 25 years came to his house after he returned home from his chamber, the doctor said, adding that they asked him to leave the city immediately and "go back to Pakistan as Kashmiris have no place in this country".
"I was heckled by those men and threatened with dire consequences," he further said.
Warning
Threatened to leave city or they'll harm my daughter: Doctor
"Initially, I ignored those threats as I had never faced such a situation here in 22 years. The next morning, while I was leaving for my hospital, I again saw those men standing outside my house," said the doctor.
He said, "They threatened me and said if I did not leave the city, my daughter would pay a heavy price."
Seeking help
Tried to reach WB government as last resort, said doctor
The doctor admitted that this time the threats sounded more serious and he decided to leave Kolkata.
However, before preparing to leave the city that he grew so fond of, the doctor tried reaching the WB government as a last resort.
"I decided to inform CM Mamata Banerjee regarding the incident through social media platforms and posted a message on Facebook," he said.
Information
State Commission for Protection of Child Rights assured of help
The doctor said that he also left a message on the chief minister's Facebook page. The next day, he received a call from the chairperson of the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The official assured of all help, he said.
Assurance
All steps taken to ensure safety of doctor's family: Ananya
Ananya Chakraborti, Chairperson of the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said that all steps were taken to ensure that the doctor's family did not face any difficulty.
"I had called the doctor after I came to know about his Facebook post. I told him not to worry and everything will be taken care of," she said.
Final decision
Have decided to stay after receiving support from administration: Doctor
The doctor and his family were provided with round-the-clock police protection, Chakraborti said, adding that officers of nearby police station were calling him regularly to ensure his well being.
"Initially, after the threat, I had decided to go back to Kashmir. But after receiving support from my neighbors and the administration, I have decided to stay back," the doctor said.