Cops accused of assaulting doctor in Dimapur

Health workers in Dimapur protesting against the alleged assault on a pathologist on August 22.

Health workers in Dimapur protesting against the alleged assault on a pathologist on August 22.

Chümoukedima TrueNat lab staff goes off work in protest


Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 22

The police have once again been accused of high-handed action. A COVID-19 frontline doctor was allegedly assaulted by NAP (IR) personnel in Dimapur on August 21. As a result, medical personnel at the sample collection (TrueNat Lab) centre at 7th Mile, Chümoukedima went into protest mode, abstaining from work on August 22. 

As per the allegation against the police, Dr Atoka Wotsa, pathologist and incharge of the Chümoukedima TrueNat Lab, was assaulted by NAP (IR) personnel while he was on his way to his quarantine quarters on Friday night. 

A doctor in Dimapur, quoting Dr Wotsa, said that the assault happened near the latter's house. The doctor forwarded a message, describing the alleged incident, from Dr Wotsa. It read, “I was assaulted by IRB personnel near my home, instead of saving me from 5 drunk guys who were drinking on the road with their car parked in middle of road and blocking me. They also damaged my car. Was on my way to Hotel Saramati after taking some clothes from home. I will be needing few days rest. Thoroughly upset and shaken.”

It did not specify the time and exact location of the incident.

The Dimapur police, when contacted, admitted the alleged incident happened but maintained that the actual turn of events can only be ascertained by a proper investigation. 

The incident was reported to have happened around 10-11:00pm near Faith Hospital. Citing preliminary report, a Dimapur police official said that there was an exchange of words between Dr Wotsa and a group of youths after the former's way was found blocked by another car on the road. It reportedly got loud attracting the attention of NAP (IR) personnel patrolling nearby. “Inquiry is on to ascertain what actually happened,” the police official said. 

The Dimapur Police PRO told The Morung Express, “No comments can be made at this stage since the matter is being taken up by an independent enquiry. However, it is confirmed that an incident had occurred on the night of 21 August in Dhobinala area involving a police foot patrol detail, a medical doctor and a group of other individuals.” 

Repeated attempts to reach out to the District Chief Medical Officer went unanswered.  

It was unclear what provoked the assault as alleged by the doctor. Further, no independent account was forthcoming as to what actually happened after the NAP (IR) personnel reached the scene. 

Whatever that has emerged about the incident has been based on Dr Wotsa’s account of the incident. According to a statement purported to have been issued by Dr Wotsa, which was not officially released, the incident happened at the Dhobinala-Faith Hospital road junction around 10:00 pm. It stated that a car was parked on the road, while adding that the driver’s door was open, preventing his car from passing. 

As a result, it said that he got down and asked the driver to get into his car “but he was not willing.” “They started shouting that I should drive around their car. By that time, the occupants of the car got out of their car again. That's when I picked up a log of wood lying on the road. They stopped charging towards me at that point.”

It was at this point that NAP (IR) personnel reportedly arrived at the scene. The statement claimed that one of the police personnel questioned why he held the stick to which he replied that it was in self-defense.

“On being questioned again if I have license for picking up stick for self defense, I logically replied no. By then they all started grabbing my neck, punching me and pushing me,” the statement said. 

It added that the doctor’s brother, who also reached the scene, was also manhandled. 

Their request to take them to the police station was declined and the assault allegedly continued. 

It said that employees of the nearby Faith Hospital also reached “and stopped them from further assault.” By that time, it said that other police personnel arrived at the scene “and took control of situation.” 

The statement further said that Dr Wotsa was accused of being the aggressor by the NAP (IR) personnel.  

DC calls meeting 
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has called for a meeting with the medical fraternity, including the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association, on August 24 in connection the incident. 

The DC informed that he has also called for an inquiry, only to add, “First we’ll wait for the meeting outcome. And if necessary, we’ll go ahead with the inquiry.”

 

Read Here: Various organisations condemn alleged assault on doctor