DIMAPUR, APRIL 22 (MExN): Even as the Deputy Commissioner of Wokha stated that the April 17 incident wherein a dentist was assaulted by police in Wokha was “settled amicably,” three health workers’ organisations said that no settlement has been reached.
The Wokha DC, in a press release on April 22, stated that “on the same day of the incident, the police team led by the SP Wokha; SDPO Wokha, OC Wokha Police Station, the Doctor and his family members and some members of the Wokha Medical fraternity in the presence of ADC Wokha&SDO (C) Wokha, amicably settled the matter after mutual understanding by all the parties concerned.”
“It was also decided that the matter would not be pursued further by any of the parties concerned,” the DC stated, appealing all “not to revive the issue which has been amicably settled.”
“Since the beginning, all frontline workers including the Police and medical fraternity with support from the public have been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with every ounce of our soul and spirit and we will continue to work with all the stakeholders as partners,” the press release affirmed.
However, a joint statement from the Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB),Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagaland State Branch, and Nagaland Ayush Doctors Association (NADA) said that this was not the case.
The three organisations said that this rejoinder is being made in response to statements of the IGP Nagaland and the Wokha DC. They said that “Dr Mongshithung Murry and his family have not signed any agreement with any organization."
They said that the issue “is beyond the individual level and has been taken as an organisational issue.”
“The medical fraternity cannot and will not take the unfair treatment meted out to any of our members silently,” the statement added.
It meanwhile said that despite the call for punitive actions to be taken upon the erring personnel, “till now, the state government seems to be working in favour of the culprits and trying to hush up the matter at all levels.”
The Statement further alleged that there has been“pressure exerted on Dr Mongshithung and his family members to sign the settlement letter from some corners.”
“We find no justification on the silence of the government of the day on these issues. We are waiting for the response of the state government as assured by the Home Commissioner,” it added.
The organisations cautioned that “if the state government fails to deliver a prompt and befitting actions upon all the erring police personnel regardless of rank or file,” they would “resort to the next course of action in a democratic manner.”
