Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 25
Oblivious to the public, another face-off is brewing in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) in Medziphema. This time the issue is over the institute’s earlier-suspended resident medical doctor who is being charged of neglect and of providing fake educational qualifications.
Only in the beginning of August this year, the institution had witnessed a serious upheaval which had led to the disruption of classes. Students had demanded the resignation of the then-dean of SASRD Prof. DP Sharma over his alleged apathy to the welfare and interest of the students.
Reports from sources in SASRD said students are demanding the suspension of the campus’ Senior Medical Officer Dr. SD Roy for alleged negligence. The doctor was reinstated to his present post, sources said, in spite of the fact that he was suspended way back in 2005. Nagaland University authorities that time had detected that Roy had supplied fake professional qualifications to land a post in the university, a source said.
Sources also provided copies of the suspension memo against Roy, issued by the Vice Chancellor of that time. The memo said Roy had provided false information regarding his qualifications. He had claimed to be holding a post-graduate degree in ‘Obstetrics & Genealogy and Pediatrics’. Following his suspension, sources said, Roy nevertheless applied for leave to go for his PG studies. Under service rules, an employee suspended from duty cannot opt for leave during a period of suspension, it was informed. However, Dr. Roy was reinstated in his earlier position this year, despite his ‘criminal background’.
After his reinstatement, the doctor had been negligent in his duties. Students are suffering as result of the doctor’s irresponsible and professional attitude, a source said. The doctor is not staying in the allotted living quarters in the institute’s campus but shuttles between Dimapur and the campus to attend work. This had resulted in emergencies on several occasions including students falling sick in campus especially at night or being compelled to be shifted to the nearest medical facility – CHC Medziphema for medical help.
In the month of August and September alone, there were instances when students were taken to the government health centre because the doctor preferred to stay outside of campus in Dimapur, sources said. The students have also complained to the VC on September 13 and a representation on September 16.
In their complaint, the students expressed loss of confidence in the doctor and have called for termination of his service. The students have repeatedly appealed to the doctor to be available in times of emergencies. But he has failed to do so, sources said. It has also come to the knowledge of the students, the doctor’s past record of breaching procedures and supplying false educational information to the university. The students are demanding a dependable campus doctor who will be at service whenever required.
