Naga People’s Front condemns physical assault on doctor

Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed deep anguish over the alleged physical assault on a medical professional by Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) patrol party at Dhobinala in Dimapur on the fateful night of August 21.

‘It was learnt that Dr. Atoka Wotsa, a pathologist who was on active Covid-19 duty in-charge of the Covid Care Centre in Chümoukedima while on duty was punched and hit with a stick by IRB personnel on patrol duty,’ stated a press release issued by the press bureau of NPF on Monday.

The party condemned the “high-handedness of the security personnel”, stating that they are becoming the troublemaker of the society instead of maintaining law and order situation.

‘It is very unbelievable that the police personnel during this time of pandemic do not spare even the frontline workers particularly the medical doctors on duty then how can the security of the public can be guaranteed under such circumstances,” the statement read.

Stating that August 21 incident cannot be termed as unfortunate, as many similar attacks on the medical personnel by the police forces have been reported time and again, it said the state government should take full responsibility for such brutally high-handed incident and also assure the safety of the people.

‘The lackadaisical attitude of the PDA government clearly shows that there is no proper co-ordination between various government departments and machineries. During the time of pandemic, the government is supposed to be monitoring and supervising the whole situation, however, the poor co-ordination within the government set up has proven their incapability to handle the government,’ the statement read.

“Even though, the inquiry committee has been set up to probe the case, the NPF demand a clear written explanation from the Home Minister, Y Patton as to why the police personnel have become a threat of the society and assurance to booked the guilty immediately,” it added.