CCpur health workers protest, call for exemplary punishment
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, April 23 2021: The medical fraternity of Churachandpur district who are at the forefront in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has today held a sit-in to protest the attack on a health worker by bandh volunteers at Phougakchao yesterday.

A female nurse on her way to a Covid Vaccination Centre in Churachandpur was physically assaulted and her private car was substantially damaged by bandh supporters.

The incident sent shock waves across Churachandpur as health workers, particularly someone on Covid vaccination drive, was denied passage and was subjected to physical and verbal abuse.

With the country grappling to tackle the pandemic's second onslaught and the State trying to avoid the worst-case scenario, such egregious incidents were least expected and uncalled for, said the health workers with a heavy heart today.

Such wilful arrogance towards a medical staff is just unacceptable, they asserted.

The medical fraternity therefore petition the Chief Minister N Biren Singh through the DC's office, to book the culprits and take exemplary punitive actions.

They also called for adequate compensation to restore the damage on her vehicle.

The health workers also took pain to the fact that an ID card produced by their counterpart was tossed and desecrated.

Many of the health workers posted in the district are from outside, they come in the morning and return home later in the day.

If no exemplary actions are taken by the authority, it will be a very negative precedent for any future bandhs and strikes, as Doctors and Nurses, who travel daily to save lives will be exposed to risking their own fate, they added.

The protest by health workers completely crippled the District Healthcare system.

It was not for the feared Covid-19 exigencies but for the heartless actions of few.

Medical facilities in the district including covid-19 related activities with the exception of Emergency Services and RT PCR sample collections have been suspended.

Sources in Churachandpur police said that the FIR filed with them by the Medical Officer in-charge of Saikot Primary Health Centre was transferred to Moirang Police Station as the incident took place within the later's jurisdiction, and added that at least three people have already been arrested by the police.

No further details were however available.

Deploring the incident, the Zomi Chiefs Association in a statement said that the District Administration and the Health Department are providing humanitarian service to the community and ceaselessly working to keep us all safe from the menace of COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and the vital role played by the Health Department, the assocaition urged all to exempt Health Workers from the ambit of any future bandhs or strikes in the interest and welfare of the community, said the statement.

The Zomi Chiefs Association also endorsed the formation of the Joint Action Committee Medical Fraternity, Churachandpur and expressed solidarity to the protest calling for immediate cessation of such uncivilized behaviour.

Kuki Students' Organisation, Churachandpur also condemned the incident and termed the brutal assault and subsequent destruction of vehicle as undemocratic in its nature and vile in its conduct.

Similarly, the Zomi Human Rights Foundation condemned the high-handedness of the volunteers supporting the bandh and urged the people of the State to respect the Health and the Frontline workers at this time of pandemic and National health emergency.

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