Srinagar 21 April (KNS): Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today strongly condemned the inhuman behaviour meted out to the mortal remains of Dr Simon, Neurosurgeon at Chennai who died due to COVID-19 infection while discharging his duties on the forefront in fighting the present pandemic".

According to Statement issued to KNS, DAK President Dr Suhail Naik while condemning this insensitive attitude of the masses said, "the state administration of Tamil Nadu must hang their heads in shame. Instead of paying rich tributes to the COVID-19 warrior his dead body was not even given a graceful burial,even the ambulance carrying his dead body was stoned and drivers beaten to pulp".

General Secretary DAK Dr Owais Dar, termed the incident blot on humanity and darkest day of our professional career. He said "doctors and other health care workers do not require 'taali or thaali' but need respect and adequate personal protective gear in the form of PPE suits and N95 masks so that the transmission of this contagious disease is minimised to Health Care workers while discharging their duties".

He further said that "it is duty of the state to protect its soldiers in white apron by bringing an ordinance at the earliest whereby an assault on Health care workers is treated to be a non-bailable offence".

DAK condoles with the family of Dr Simon at this hour of grief and also requests all health care workers to wear black bands on 23 April 2020 to express solidarity with doctor who expired while discharging his duties as a mark of protest.
Meanwhile Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also given a call of observing 23 april as black day if the said ordinance is not brought immediately, it said (KNS)