Counter FIR filed in doctor assault case

Claims doctor verbally abused and got aggressive with police 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 25

The police have registered a counter FIR in connection to the alleged August 21 assault on a medical doctor in Dimapur.

According to sources, it was registered based on a complaint lodged by the NAP (IR) personnel, who were accused of assaulting Dr Atoka Wotsa, Pathologist incharge of the COVID-19 sample collection centre (TrueNat) Laboratory, 7th Mile, Chümoukedima. 

The Dimapur police confirmed registering the FIR on August 24 at West Police Station but declined to comment further, while stating that the matter was under investigation. 

So far, there has been no independent account of the alleged incident with all that have been reported based on the account of Dr Wotsa. 

As per the account of the NAP (IR) personnel, as stated in the FIR registered, it occurred sometime after 10:30 pm on August 21.  

A copy of the FIR, in possession of The Morung Express, stated that the NAP (IR) personnel were on patrol at the Dhobinala area when they were informed of “some youths were fighting near Sewak road junction.” 

On reaching the spot, it said that they saw two men “engaged in a heated altercation.” It said, “When enquired what the issue was the older man (later identified as Doctor Atoka Wotsa) replied that the front vehicle (Micra) having 5 youngsters was blocking his passage. But immediately the driver of the front vehicle (Micra) replied stating the other person (Dr Atoka) was threatening them with one big wooden club/stick and he requested to save them.” 

In the FIR, the police personnel claimed that Dr Wotsa replied “it was his wish and he carries it around for self defense since he performs night duties.” 

In the ensuing questioning of the people involved, it claimed that Dr Wotsa started verbally abusing and “physically charging” one of the police jawans. Subsequently, a scuffle ensued between the doctor and the police jawan.

The alleged aggression of the doctor reportedly provoked the jawan to pick up a wooden club and used it to hit the bonnet of Dr Wotsa’s vehicle (Jeep Compass).

It was further followed by the doctor confronting the jawan and in the ensuing scuffle, “both fell to the ground.” 

By this time, police personnel from West Police Station arrived at the scene and broke off the scuffle.  The jawan, it claimed, sustained bruises as a result of the scuffle “and his uniform shirt was torn.”

While alleging the doctor of obstructing law enforcement personnel from discharging their mandated duties, it asked the government authority to initiate necessary legal actions against the latter.