Dimapur, April 5 (MExN): More organizations on Sunday condemned the alleged assault on Dr Nosezol Sezo, Senior Medical Officer, CHC Medziphema and quarantine officer for COVID-19 Dimapur district on April 3 by Special Task Force (STF) personnel in Purana Bazar.
Nagaland Medical Dealers Association: The Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) expressed shock on the “brutal assault of a renowned and responsible person” and condemned the incident. “This is unbelievable that even a doctor can be assaulted in an inhuman manner by a group of uniformed persons who are also performing their duty in the same line,” the statement from the Association read. Stating that the medical fraternity is “working day and night risking our own self against this prevailing COVID-19,” it requested the authorities and the public to "at least acknowledge our services by showing respect to our profession.”
Rotetso Clan Kidima Village: The Rotetso Clan of Kidima village condemned the “brutal assault and high handedness of Special Task Force Police to one of our family members” and demanded immediate and prompt disciplinary action on the erring security personnel involved in this incident either by suspension or termination from service without further delay. It expressed appreciation to DGP Nagaland for tendering apology on behalf of his personnel and requested him to expedite the inquiry/investigation on time bound manner and deliver justice at the earliest.
Temi Khel Council: The Temi Khel Council and Temi Youth Club Kidima vehemently slammed what it termed as “murder attempt” on Dr Sezo and asserted its resentment saying it “will never ever tolerate any such misbehavior to any of its member from mindless police personnel on duty.” The two bodies requested the concerned authority “to disclose the names of police personnel and Commander-in-Charge involved in the barbaric act,” and to immediately terminate the service of those erring personnel at the earliest. It requested that the termination order be published publicly to ensure that no such atrocities were committed in the near future. “If the authority fails to responds accordingly, the two bodies will determine its future course of action as deemed fit,” it stated.
Kidima Gazetted Officers’ Forum: Expressing disappointment over the “attitude of security personnel for their ‘arrogance and high-handedness’ upon a health worker” the Kidima Gazetted Officers’ Forum (KGOF) condemned the “inhumane act and brutal assault” in a press release. “It is very unfortunate and even more painful to know that a sincere and dedicated doctor performing duties overtime in the interest of public was not only physically assaulted but also vandalized his vehicle for not wearing a mask in spite of identifying himself a doctor,” it stated. KGOF appealed the competent authority to take disciplinary action against the culprit(s) at the earliest so as to avoid any such untoward incident in future.
TNAI Dimapur Unit: The Trained Nurses Association of India Dimapur Unit (TNAI Dimapur unit) while condemning the incident stated that “the medical fraternity are in the first line of the frontline defense against this pandemic, working overtime and risking their lives every single day, while striving to save the lives of others.” Such harassment should be condemned by one and all, it said as it urged the authorities and the general public to acknowledge their services by showing respect to their profession.
Southern Angami Youth Organization: The Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) expressed shock over the brutal assault on one of its bonafide members and strongly condemned the barbaric act. It further appealed the authority to take appropriate action against the erring personnel according to the law. This was stated in a release issued by SAYO president Zakieleto Tsukru and general secretary Vidukho Kintso.
Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur: Condemning the incident, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) appealed to the concerned authority to take appropriate action against the erring personal(s) as per provision of Law. ASTD stated that at this hour of stress and tension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “law enforcing agencies especially the police personals, Special Task Force must be well versed about the frontline workers like doctors, nurses and medical staff who are risking their lives combating the dreadful COVID-19." ASTD appealed the public of Dimapur to adhere to the guidelines and directives adopted and issued by the State Government as well as District Administration for our own prevention and safety at large.
Chakhroma Youth Organisation: The Chakhroma Youth Organisation while expressing resentment over the incident also vehemently condemned “the provoking and impolite high-handedness of the police personnel.” “The perpetration of the violence is not only physical assault alone, it also amounts to an act of vandalism by those police on duty that night,” the CYO stated in a press release on Sunday. The Organisation acknowledged the “timely intervention” of the DGP Nagaland and demanded that the erring police personnel who were reportedly in an inebriated state, be booked and terminated from the service immediately. The CYO appealed the law enforcing authority to meticulously brief the personnel before they are deployed and to maintain the right norms/protocols and local ethos besides their own.
East Dimapur Business Association: Condemning the alleged assault, the East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) brought to light a separate incident where a government electrician who was attending a site due to a fire incident at Naharbari was allegedly assaulted and denied movement in the early hours of April 4. While terming it as a “high degree of indiscipline which cannot be tolerated in any way,” the organization called for immediate action to book and punish the erring personnel without any exemption. It warned of “future action” if justice is not brought about immediately.
Kidima Community Dimapur Area: The Kidima Community Dimapur Area resolutely condemned the “unwarranted police violence” against its member and demanded that the authority take stern action against the perpetrators and call for immediate suspension of the personnel involved. KCDA demanded for appropriate financial compensation for the medical expense and damage of the vehicle at the earliest.
