Attack on Doctor in Assam: 24 Arrested in Hojai District, Statewide Protest

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The incident of physical assault to an on-duty doctor at Udali COVID Care Centre in Hojai district on Tuesday evoked massive reactions in the State. Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he would monitor the investigation of the case himself. He also asked the police to file the charge sheet in the case as soon as possible.

The police have already arrested 24 people in connection with the incident and produced them before the Hojai Court on Wednesday. The Court sent seven of the arrested people to police custody for three days, 14 to judicial custody and safe custody for three minors.

Assault on-duty Doctor Udali COVID Care Centre in Hojai

According to sources, a COVID-19 patient, Giasuddin, was admitted to the COVID Care Centre at noon on Tuesday, and the patient collapsed soon after.

The incident led the relatives and attendants of Giasuddin to engage themselves in an altercation with on-duty Dr Seuj Senapati on the pretext that the patient died due to his negligence. Around six/seven people entered the hospital and beat up the doctors mercilessly, besides vandalizing the hospital. The attackers then dragged the doctor out of the hospital where more people joined them to beat the doctor up. A nurse, Lalita Bharali, also sustained an injury in the incident.

Currently, Dr Senapati is under treatment at the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College and Hospital).

Meanwhile, reacting to the incident the doctors all over the State boycotted OPD service on Wednesday and demanded adequate security for doctors to let them work without any fear.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Such barbaric attack on our frontline workers wouldn't be tolerated by our administration. The culprits will be given exemplary punishment."

After the incident, the local populace of Udali apologized before the doctors and people of the State and said that they would socially boycott the people involved in the attack on the doctor.

Visiting the spot at Udali, State DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said, "Nobody involved in the attack on the doctor will be allowed to go unpunished. A DSP-level officer will investigate the incident. Among the attackers, those who entered the hospital and beat up the doctor have an attempt-to-murder case filed against them. The others who beat up the doctor outside the hospital have a case in another section."

The 24 people who have been arrested by the police in connection with the incident have been identified as Kamuruddin, Joynal Uddin, Rehenuddin, Misba Begum, Rejul Islam, Rahimuddin, Sahil Islam, Jamir Ahmed, Safiqul Alam, Taibur Rahman, Rahimuddin, Abdul Kalam, Nazrul Islam, Abdul Goni, Dilwar Hussain, Abdul Hussain, Anwar Hussain, Ikramul Hussain, Nasiruddin, Alimuddin, Sarifuddin, Sobikuddin, Mujibur Rahman and Motibur Rahman.

Also Read: Assam Doctor Assault Case: 24 Accused to be Produced in Hojai Court, Doctors Protest Across State