Panchkula: In yet another incident of violence against medical professionals battling coronavirus, a doctor attached to Civil Hospital, was allegedly brutally assaulted by a mob of around 15 men at Pinjore town in Panchkula district. After the police registered a complaint in this regard, one of the attackers identified as one Singh has been booked.
The doctor has been treating COVID 19 infected patients as he is currently deployed at the COVID control room at the Mini-Secretariat.
The horrific incident took place recently when the doctor was on his way to drop his children at his in-laws' house in Surajpur.
In his complaint to the police, the doctor informed, "I have recently shifted to a health sub-centre in Burj Kotian for stay. It was my night shift. So, my children had to be dropped at my in-laws' house in Surajpur."
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Around 15 locals, including Singh, were present at the checkpost. Singh allegedly started hurling abuses at the doctor. Then, he dragged him out of his car and thrashed him. He also threatened me to kill me, the doctor stated in his complaint, reports Tribune
Amravati police post-in-charge, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shyam Lal, informed HT, "The complainant and accused know each other. The scuffle broke out after locals stopped the doctor and misbehaved with him. Despite showing his identity card, the accused hurled abuses and allegedly thrashed him."
Based on the doctor's complaint, the police have initiated further investigation, and booked Singh, under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code at Pinjore police station.
has been reporting about the plight of healthcare professionals across the country who are facing violence. Taking cognizance of the same, on April 22nd, the Union cabinet amended the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 through an ordinance in order to ensure the safety of health workers at a time when there has been a spate of attacks on them. Any violence against health workers may now bring steep fines and even imprisonments of up to seven years.
Salient Features of the Ordinance include
Attacks on doctors, paramedic staff and ASHA workers have been made non-bailable and cognizable offences.
These attacks are punishable with imprisonment from 6 months up to 7 years and fine of one lakh up to Rs 5 lakhs.
The police investigation will be complete within a month and the case will be fast-tracked with the final judgment to come within a year.
Those found to be damaging the private clinic or a vehicle belonging to a doctor will be asked to pay compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property or assets.
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