Mokokchung, October 14 (MExN): Taking exception to the recent public exposure of the identity of COVID-19 affected people in Mokokchung, the Ao Students' Conference (AKM) has written to the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner, seeking action against the ‘unscrupulous elements.’
It said that the names, biodata and other details of AKM officials and members who are currently in self quarantine and isolation were also circulated, in direct violation of the medical ethics and patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality.
It also violates the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, Clause no 13, whereby ‘no individual/institution/organization will use any print or electronic media for information regarding COVID-19 without prior permission from recognized authority,’ the AKM said in a press release on October 14.
It requested the Deputy Commissioner to invoke and execute the penalty clause of the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 (Clause 21) and press charges against the culprits and furnish their details in the public domain, while cautioning that the inability to invoke and execute the law would be considered as ‘dereliction of duty.’
The AKM shall be forced to resort to our own course of action, the consequences of which shall be your sole responsibility, it added. The AKM also requested the concerned district administration and law keeping agencies to take note of such untoward cases and take necessary actions.
It meanwhile cautioned any individual and organization found to be sharing such information would be reported to the concerned authority for criminal prosecution.
“We understand the rationale and fear behind the actions that happened but it has put at risk the mental and emotional health of the quarantined members and their family members. It has also created unwanted fear and stigma of the members in the eye of the public,” it added.
