The alleged assault incident of a doctor in Dimapur by police has attracted condemnations from several organizations. The alleged incident happened on August 21 night in Dimapur where police personnel had allegedly assaulted a doctor identified as Dr Atoka Wotsa.
Meanwhile, an Inquiry Committee has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the alleged incident by the state government even as several organizations have condemned the alleged incident.
According to a notification from the Principal Secretary (Home), Abhijit Sinha, the alleged assault has led to demands for an inquiry into the incident and immediate action taken against the concerned police personnel.
The notification said that after taking into consideration all aspects of the matter, the government has decided to have a detailed inquiry conducted into the facts and circumstances of the case and fix responsibilities.
Accordingly, the Inquiry Committee has been constituted with Neposo Theluo, Commissioner and Secretary, RD Department as chairman and Khanrinla Koza, Secretary Law and Justice along with Rosy Margaret Athrila, ADC Niuland as members.
The Inquiry Committee has been empowered to summon and examine all those involved in the incident, as well as witnesses, take statements, and also call for any documents, records as may be deemed necessary during the course of the inquiry.
The Committee is to submit the report within seven days of the date of issue of the notification, it said.
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed “deep anguish” over the alleged physical assault on medical personnel by an 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 Chumukedima while on duty was punched and hit with a stick by IRB personnel on patrol duty,” said the NPF in a press release.
The NPF, while condemning “such high-handedness” of the security personnel, said that instead of maintaining law and order situation, “they are the cause behind the troublemaker of the society”. It added, “It is very unbelievable that the police personnel during this time of pandemic do not spare even the front line workers particularly the medical doctors on duty".
The NPF then said the August 21 incident cannot be termed as unfortunate, as many similar attacks on the medical personnel by the police personnel have been reported time and again. “Therefore, the Government of the day should take full responsibility for such a brutality and high-handedness incident and the Government should also assure the safety of the people,” it demanded.
Even though the Inquiry Committee has been set up to probe the case, the NPF demanded a clear written explanation from Home minister, Y Patton as to why the police personnel have “become a threat to the society and assurance to book the guilty immediately”.
