DC orders independent inquiry into Aug 22 doctor assault case

DIMAPUR, AUG 22 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, R. Soundararajan has ordered an independent inquiry into the alleged assault of a doctor by IRB personnel on August 21 night. Following the charter of demands submitted by Nagaland In-service Doctors Association, Dimapur Unit, DC directed N. Zubenthung Ngullie SDO (C) Sadar to carry out an independent enquiry on the alleged assault on Dr Atoka Wotsa, pathologist of Covid-19 sample collection centre Chumukedima Dimapur by IRB Personnel and submit the report on or before August 25, 2020.

NIDA unit demands action: Nagaland In-service Doctors Association, Dimapur Unit has condemned the “brutal act” meted out to its bonafide member Dr. Atoka Wotsa while on duty, allegedly by IRB personnel on August 21 night. In this regard, the unit submitted a 3-point charter of demand to the DC Dimapur through its representative Dr. T. Temsu and Dr. Heto Swu.

The demand includes immediate suspension of the personnel’s involved within 24 hours and proceed action for termination, failing which the medical fraternity will take its own course of action, impartial Judicial enquiry into the incident and to bear the medical expenses incurred during the course of treatment and compensation of the damaged property.

Organisations flay

Several organisations have condemned the alleged physical assault on Dr. Atoka Wotsa.

IMA branch: Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dimapur Branch through its honorary president Dr. D.R. Sharma strongly condemned the brutal assault on Dr Atoka Wotsa and requested the state government to bring the perpetrators of such a heinous crime to justice. IMA Dimapur Branch said its members stood with Dr Atoka Wotsa and his family at this hour of crisis.

PAN: Strongly condemning the “act of aggression and brutality” meted out to one of its colleagues, the Pathologist Association of Nagaland (PAN) demanded immediate action from the concerned authority. PAN president Dr. T. Temsu stated that such actions cannot be tolerated and should not be repeated in the near future.

SDA: Sumi Doctors Association (SDA) has expressed deep shock and pain over the “brutal assault” meted out to one of its bona fide member Dr. Atoka Wotsa while he was returning after performing his mandated duty.

In a press release, SDA president Dr. K. Vikato Kinimmi general secretary Dr. Kheshika Yeptho said that while the doctors were risking their lives on the call of duty it was “very disturbing” to experience the trauma of harassment and assault meted out to the member of medical fraternity while on the line of duty by those in uniform who were “supposed to protect us while performing our duties even during odd hours.”

SDA said the degree of assault and the dent on the vehicle bonnet bore testimony to the “evil intent of the rogue IRB personnel.” The association urged the concerned authority to award exemplary punishment to the erring personnel to serve as a deterrent in the future.

CPO: Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO) through a press release issued by its president Vichütuolie Mere said it was “extremely unfortunate” to witness such kind of brutality again to the medical fraternity at critical times like this when they were working so hard to fight the pandemic.

Stating that the act committed by police personnel was highly objectionable, the CPO said it strongly condemned the incident in the highest manner.

CPO affirmed that it stood with Dr Atako Wotsa and appealed to the authorities to immediately bring those responsible to book and punish them as per the law.

IDANSB: Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) condemned the “barbaric unwarranted action of the IRB personnel”.

In a press release, IDANSB president Dr. Kaketo Yepthomi said doctors have been the victim of police brutality in the state time and again, but the medical fraternity in the spirit of humanity had been tolerant and just.

IDANSB said that the physical assault on doctors by uniform personnel has become a habit and cannot be tolerated anymore.

IDANSB appealed to the government to look into the matter with utmost seriousness and take immediate action by suspending the personnel involved in the incident.

After the last two unfortunate incidents of police brutality against doctors, IDANSB said the government assured the medical fraternity that remedial measures would be taken so no such untoward incident would happen.

NNF: Expressing shock over the assault on a medical doctor, the Nagaland NGOs Forum (NNF) vehemently condemned the behaviors of the law enforcing personnel terrorizing people and taking the law into their own hands.

In a representation addressed to the deputy chief minister, NNF president Dr.Y Hesheto Chishi and general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe appealed to initiate prompt investigation into the incident and “bring the culprits to an unbiased justice without delay.”

NMDA: Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) through its joint secretary Arijit Sharma urged the police and administration to look into the matter and serve justice to the victim doctor by punishing the culprits as per law.

NMDA also appealed to the responsible authority to ensure that no such brutal incidents take place in future. NMDA pointed that this was not the first time when a doctor had been assaulted by the men in uniform. It said that repeating of such incidents would “create utter fear in the hearts of those COVID-19 Warriors who are on duty.”

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/dc-orders-independent-inquiry-into-aug-22-doctor-assault-case/220865.html