SRINAGAR: A four-member medical team tasked with screening a ‘Peer Baba’ (self-styled godman) in Sheikhpora of central Kashmir’s Budgam district was held hostage by his kin on Saturday. During a rescue operation, four cops sustained injuries as the godman’s followers pelted stones on them. The accused Peer Baba and his family members were detained.Block medical officer of Chadoora subdistrict hospital, Dr Shafakat Rasool , had deputed the team to screen the Peer Baba in Sheikhpora’s Wathoora village after receiving information from residents of other villages that his followers would visit him regularly violating social distancing norms amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. She was also informed that the godman’s son had travel history.“As soon as our medical team reached the village and entered the godman’s house to examine him, the latter’s family members held the four hostages and even hurled abuses at one of our women doctors who was part of the team. The medical staff called us for help and we immediately alerted police who rushed to their rescue,” Dr Shafakat said.When policemen reached the village to launch a rescue operation, they were chased by the Peer Baba’s followers who, in a bid to deter the exercise, pelted stones on the rescue party. In the ensuing melee, four cops sustained injuries even as the medical team was rescued timely, a police officer said. Chadoora Police detained the godman and his family members and booked them under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the IPC.“It is equally encouraging that residents of other villages informed the hospital about the violation of the standard operating procedure and the travel history of the accused’s son,” Dr Shafakat added.