SRINAGAR: Police in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have registered an FIR against the wife and son of Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed in connection with the alleged locking of a government-run health facility in Damhal Khoshipora.
Officials said the case (FIR No. 32/2026) was registered at Achabal Police Station on the directions of a First Class Magistrate Kokernag. The FIR invokes relevant legal provisions, 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 Khoshipora, which caters to a large rural population and was reportedly locked by the MLA’s wife, triggering concern among residents and health authorities.
According to officials, repeated efforts by the Health Department to persuade the family to reopen the facility were unsuccessful, prompting administrative intervention. Acting on complaints from both the department and the public, the Tehsildar Kokernag, accompanied by a magistrate, visited the site and ordered the lock to be broken to restore healthcare services. However, the building was allegedly locked again shortly thereafter, escalating tensions.
The dispute traces back to 2008, when the MLA’s family had provided the building for establishing a Primary Health Centre under a registered society, Rogi Kalyan Samiti Syeda Memorial Hospital. Since then, the facility has remained operational, with the Health Department deploying staff, maintaining services, and funding infrastructure under schemes such as the National Rural Health Mission, RKS, and Capex budgets.
Over the years, multiple government agencies also supported the facility’s functioning, including the provision of water supply, road connectivity, and payment of utility expenses.
Earlier this year, the MLA, as per his family, wrote to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag, seeking relocation of the hospital, citing that the building had become dilapidated and unsafe. Following this, the CMO sought a detailed report from the Block Medical Officer (BMO). A field assessment was submitted by a medical officer on April 24, and the matter was under official consideration when the hospital was locked.
The incident drew wider 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 has denied these allegations.
Family members of the MLA have maintained that the building was provided as a goodwill gesture and continues to remain private property. They have demanded that the government produce legal documents if ownership has been formally transferred.
“We had informed the authorities months ago. The building is in a dilapidated condition and unsafe. It should be vacated,” a family member said, alleging that no timely action was taken despite repeated communication.
Police officials said further investigation into the matter is underway.
