Srinagar, May 31 -- Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) senior leader and Langate legislator Sheikh Khursheed on Friday expressed strong dismay over the unfolding controversy at Government Medical College, Doda, stating that the situation could have been entirely avoided, had the government taken timely action.

"This controversy should never have occurred in the first place," said Khursheed. "Our elected government, especially the health minister, should have taken early cognisance of the issue. The matter has been brewing for the past three days and involved an MLA from Doda who belongs to the ruling coalition's alliance partner-the Aam Aadmi Party. It was the health minister's responsibility to step in, initiate dialogue and de-escalate the iss...