A team of healthcare workers was attacked and held hostage inside a house in Wathora of Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district. The team was visiting the area to screen locals for the novel coronavirus when it was subjected to such hostilities.

"The team had gone for their work and apparently there was some altercation with the household which they were visiting. The medical team sent an SOS to the police station and when our party arrived, some locals pelted stones at them. Three policemen have also been injured", Superintendent of Police (Budgam) Amod Nagpure said.

Despite all odds, the police team managed to rescue the healthcare workers.

An FIR has now been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in this regard. "We have taken action and registered a case. All those people who are involved in such things that hinder the work of these officials will be taken to task," added the Budgam SP.

The incident has further prompted severe criticism from the medical fraternity. "If we face such things, then who is going to do all the work at this time of the crisis", one doctor from the union territory told India Today. The government has also taken note of the issue and has advised people to desist from making the job of the field staff difficult.

"These doctors and other medical staff are putting their lives at risk and going to places people shouldn't attack them like this", says Atal Dhullo, Commissioner Secretary (Health), Jammu and Kashmir.

As of today, a total of 245 cases have been reported in the UT of J&K till now.