More orgs condemn August 21 incident
Dimapur, August 23 (MExN): More organisations have condemned the alleged assault of a COVID-19 frontline doctor on August 21. Dr Atoka Wotsa, a pathologist and incharge of the Chümoukedima TrueNat Lab, was reportedly assaulted by NAP (IR) personnel while he was on his way to his quarantine quarters on Friday night.
AAJC: The Asukiqa Area Joint Council (AAJC) has condemned the “brutal act” and said that the IRB should understand the nature of work of frontline health workers working tirelessly during the pandemic and learn to understand to deal with them. “Such act of brutality is intolerable to the AAJC, therefore, we strongly appeal the concerned authority to punish the culprit as per law so that no such incident is repeated in future again,” the Council said in a press statement issued by its Chairman, Khuwuto Swu and Secretary, Asheto Achumi.
ASKK: Strongly censuring the “unwarranted act,” the Aphuyemi Sumi Kuqhakulu Kohima (ASKK) said that it is “extremely unfortunate” that such kind of “brutality” is meted out on frontline worker at this critical time.
“We are also disturbed by the actions of armed personnels, particularly IRB who have been physically assaulting law abiding citizens on several occasions, it said in a press release issued by its President Ngukato K Tsuipu and Secretary Publicity Lovili Swu.
The Union further urged the concerned authority to punish the culprits as per the law so that no such incident is repeated in the future.
CVC: The Chümuokedima Village Council (CVC) has expressed its “utmost displeasure” on the high handedness of police personnel resulting in the assault of the doctor in charge of COVID-19 Lab, Chümoukedima.
“It is most unfortunate that such brutality of police personnel are becoming a regular affair and even doctors are not being spared,” the CVC stated in a press release issued by its Chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu.
It also expressed appreciation that the concerned department has set up an independent enquiry committee to probe the unfortunate incident.
“The CVC places its faith that justice will be delivered at the earliest and the erring personnel will be penalised as per the law,” it added. The council also wished Dr Wotsa a speedy recovery.
DDCF: The Dimapur District Citizens' Forum (DDCF) while expressing that it was “deeply sad and disturbed” over the “unwarranted incident” said that it is “most unfortunate to hear of such incidences between the police personnel and the medical fraternity when there is a need for the frontline workers to work in coordination at this hour.”
The DDCF, in a press release issued by its President Y Kikon and General Secretary Richard Haolai, flayed the assault and appealed to the concerned authority to take appropriate action against the erring personnel as per the law.
“DDCF would also like to appeal the frontline workers to set aside their differences and work hand in hand in this fight against the COVID19 virus.” It added.
KSU: The Kitami Students Union (KSU) has expressed deep shock and pain over the "brutal act" meted out to one of its bonafide member on duty.
The act committed by IRB jawan on duty was highly objectionable and the union condemns the incident in the highest manner, stated a press release issued by KSU President Kakiye Y Swu and General Secretary Lovito N Kiho. It further maintained that the assault and the damage on the vehicle has created "fear psychosis and trauma" in the minds and hearts of those on COVID-19 frontline duty. The union appealed to the concerned authority to award exemplary punishment to the erring jawan as per the law, it added.
MKD: The Mishilimi Kuqhakulu Dimapur (MKD) also expressed ‘deep shock and pain’ over the assault and said that is disturbing to see ‘brutal behavior from law keepers who are supposed to protect the citizens.’
Stating that medical fraternity are risking their lives to protect the citizens, the MKD in a press release issued by its President H Kihoto Wotsa and General Secretary Shiyeto Wotsa “appealed to the responsible authority to take immediate action and award exemplary punishment to the erring personal so that such incident does not occur in future.”
NADA: The Nagaland Ayush Doctor's Association (NADA), while condemning the incident stated that it is “very shocking that the brutal assault mended out to doctors time and again despite of assurance given by the state government.”
“We are deeply hurt and dismayed at the attitude and behavior of the IRB personal towards the Medical personnel from time to time,” NADA said in a statement issued by its General Secretary Dr Shasinlo.
The association further appealed the Government to take stern action against the erring personnel and give justice to the victim. It further endorsed Nagaland In- Service Doctors Association (NIDA), Dimapur unit’s charter of demands’ and urged concern authority to take up the matter “with all seriousness.”
NVA: The Nagaland Veterinarians' Association (NVA) condemned the August 21 incident and has demanded immediate disciplinary action against the culprit/s.
It may be noted that the Medical as well as the AH & Veterinary Services come under essential services and attend to the woes and needs of both human as well as livestock, stated NVA President Dr Ilang and General Secretary Dr Imomanen Tzudir in a press release.
It, therefore, urged to the concerned authorities and the public in general that doctors and officials of the essential services are not rendered to face such incidents in the future.
SAKD: Expressing shock over the incident, the Sumi Aphuyemi Kuqhakulu Dimapur (SAKD) strongly denounced the act of the erring personnel.
“The SAKD is shocked as to how uniformed personnel, who are supposed to maintain law and order in the society could instead violate the law and physically assault an innocent man that too a doctor,” stated the union in a press release appended by its President Shikato Shohe, Vice President P Kiyevi Achumi and General Secretary, Azhevi Sumi.
It further said that SAKD stand in support of the “Charter of Demand” made by the NIDA, Dimapur Unit, and cautioned that if the authority fails to meet the demand it would take its own course of action.
Stating that no force or authority can stand against the law, the SAKD also appealed the competent authority to take stern action erring personnel.
SAKK: The Sümi Aphuyemi Kiphimi Küqhakulu (SAKK) while condemning the incident said that such act is “totally unacceptable and can never be compromised at any cost.”
Expressing concern that such cases has often been happening in Nagaland, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SAKK also sincerely urged all the right thinking citizens to openly come forward and condemn such acts.
The SAKK in a press statement issued by its President, Itova Shohe and General Secretary Kahoshe Wotss also appealed the authority to take a serious look into the matter and give a befitting punishment to those erring personnel as to “save the future from such incidents.”
