Srinagar April 16 (KNS): Referring to a story published in the leading national newspaper yesterday according to which 5,000 test kits were ‘mysteriously’ diverted to Jammu
,Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement in a statement castigated the Government for such a dangerous move and demanded that Government must clear its stand on the issue .

According to statement issued to KNS, It's pertinent to mention here that The Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Kashmir, has stopped taking samples from potentially infected persons in the Valley after a senior health official bypassed directions and diverted a Srinagar-bound consignment of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) allotted five boxes, carrying 5,000 test kits, to Jammu.

"When valley has seen upsurge in the number of cases lately, there is every likelihood of infection being widespread which can only be determined by aggressive sampling process. Diverting samples mysteriously is a shocking development and the officer responsible for this inhuman act should be booked and taken to task immediately " reads the statement

"The terrible news of the criminal act of diversion of critical testing kits meant for Kashmir by the Resident Commissioners office in Delhi reflects how valleyites have been left to the mercy of God.We are in the beginning of Epidemic and imagine how the people of Kashmir would be treated if the epidemic enters phase 3. We demand a fast track enquiry and request Lt Governor J & K to punish the culprits so that it serves as a deterrent for other officers .Despite this criminal attitude towards Kashmir, our healthcare professionals and other Covid warriors are doing a commendable service to this society and we as a society are indebted to them" said Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo Spokesman of RTI Movement . He further said that since no of cases have drastically risen in Kashmir so more contact tracing and more testing needs to be done. Government must stop toeing the line of discrimination now.(KNS)