A medical officer here was placed under suspension for allegedly refusing surveillance duty to monitor suspected coronavirus cases placed under home quarantine in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Saturday.

Saleem Bhatti was suspended with immediate effect by Deputy Commissioner, Poonch. Rahul Yadav, with direction to the medical superintendent of the district hospital to initiate disciplinary action against him, th eofficials said.

Quoting the order issued by the deputy commissioner on Friday, the officials said Tehsildar Haveli reported that Bhatti, deputed in surveillance team, refused to perform his duty.

The order said medical professionals are critical to government efforts in these difficult times when the government is putting all out efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.