Nando escape case : Nurses being harassed, intimidated by police: Nurses' Association
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2019: After the daring escape of under-trial criminal Th Nando, who is also a prime accused in Lungnila Elizabeth murder case, from Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Male Ortho Ward on March 26, Nurses' Association, TNAI JNIMS Unit on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh who is Chairman of JNIMS Society, to 'safeguard' the nurses from 'harassment' by the police in connection with the case.

The nurses' association in its memorandum claimed that staff nurses of the hospital were grilled during interrogations to the point that they were 'threatened to admit to certain doings that they know nothing about' .

A statement of the association, issued by publicity secretary N Jeni Devi, claimed that the staff nurses identified as Ph Reena and H Yaimabi were on duty that night while N Bimola ward in-charge was absent.

Since the escape, they have been facing unprecedented 'harassment and intimidation' in the form of repeated questionings and interrogations, said the association.

The 'harassment' met out to the staff has affected their normal duties due to 'fear psychosis of being framed, wrongly accused and made a scapegoat' .

They were carrying out their duties as nurses.

It is not only unethical but impractical to expect nurses to guard a criminal who has been admitted at the hospital for treatment.

The said patient (Nando) was shackled and guarded by the appointed security guards round the clock, said the nurses' association in its memorandum.

Deeply concerned with the 'harassment' met out towards the nurses, the Nurses Association TNAI JNIMS Unit appealed the Chief Minister to expedite steps to safeguard the nurses at the earliest.

Urging the nurses to be left alone to do their duties peacefully, the association said that the nurses are ready to co-operate and answer to any queries in connection with the investigation provided it be conducted inside the hospital under the supervision of the Director, Medical Superintendent and Nursing Superintendent only.

"Calling for statements at Police Station, labelling baseless suspicious charges be dropped and interrogations be stopped immediately," the association appealed.

JNIMS hospital does not have a separate ward/room designed to keep under-trails or criminals.

They are therefore kept in general ward that lacks security.

As there is no isolated ward for such criminals, any consequence that arises out of the security lapse should be the sole responsibility of the admitting authority.

The nurses or the hospital staff should not be held responsible, said the association.

Appealing the Government to look into the matter urgently, the nurses' association cautioned that it will launch democratic form of agitation if their appeals are not heard and necessary steps not taken within 15 days.

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