Assault on Doctor: Medical fraternity threatens ceasework if action not taken against erring police personnel

Dimapur, April 19: The medical fraternity of Nagaland has threatened to ceasework if action is not taken against the erring police personnel involved in the physical assault on Dr Mongshithung Murry at Wokha on April 17 last.
In a joint representation submitted to Nagaland Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner and Director General of Police, Indian Dental Association, Nagaland State branch (IDANB), Indian Medical Association (IMA), Nagaland State Branch and Nagaland AYUSH Doctors Association (NADA) expressed pain by the assault and torture of Dr Mongshithung Murry, a bonafide member of IDANSB by the police personnel on April 17 at Wokha.
The organizations said the videographic evidence that went viral within Nagaland and across the country clearly shows that the defenceless doctor was mercilessly assaulted.
Condemning the “barbaric act” committed by the senseless police personnel on duty, the Associations said the assault on the body and head of Dr Mongshithung Murry, not only caused massive injury to him but has caused trauma to the victim and his family, including the entire medical fraternity.
“Despite identifying himself as a medical professional, he was not spared. Let aside the medical fraternity, the police personnel on duty have no right to assault any citizen in such a manner. The incident happened when all the IDANSB members are waiting to be trained to combat Covid-19 pandemic,” the representation stated.
The representation further stated that the medical fraternity has had enough of the highhandedness of the police personnel on duty, adding the first case which occurred in Dimapur was compromised, but compromise does not mean it is forgotten.
Stating that assaulting doctors by police personnel is becoming a habit in the state, the Association said the repeated incidents has left a huge scar in the minds of medical professionals in general.
The Associations appealed to the responsible authorities to take immediate punitive action against those erring police personnel involved, to establish trust within the professionals working together to combat the pandemic COVID-19.
The Associations sought prompt action from the Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner and DGP to boost the morale of the medical fraternity and said failure to show firmness at this stage may encourage further misconduct in future.
The issue has become a larger public issue, which cannot be allowed to be settled indoors, the representation said adding the rule of law must reign supreme.
The representation was signed by Dr Kaketo Yepthomi, President, IDANSB, Dr Vichovol Temi, Hononary Secretary, IDANSB, Dr Victo A Wotsa, honorary State Secretary, IMA and Dr Shasinlo Magh, General Secretary, NADA. (Page News Service)