A doctor in Assam who has been treating Wuhan virus patients in Hojai, a township around 140 kilometers from Guwahati, was on Tuesday (June 1) mercilessly beaten by the relatives of a Covid patient who had died, allegedly due to oxygen shortage.
The video of this attack has now gone viral and the doctor who was assaulted is now hospitalised but stable. In the video available on social media, 24 people, including the main accused could be seen punching, kicking, and using metal trash cans and bricks to viciously attack the doctor.
The incident that took place on Tuesday shocked the nation but thanks to the quick reaction of the police, the violent mob who had attacked Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati has now been arrested.
The patient who had died due to Covid-linked complications was Giyaz Uddin, a resident of Pipal Pukhuri village.
“The attendant of the patient came to me saying the patient is serious and has not passed urine since morning. I went to the room and found that the patient was dead. As I broke the news to the attendant, another relative started abusing me,” Dr Senapati told the media.
After the family was informed of the patient’s death a mob attacked the hospital wherein most of the medical officers managed to escape, however, Dr Senapati, who had locked himself in a room was severely assaulted and was immediately shifted to another hospital in Nagaon to treat his serious injuries.
“They ransacked the hospital, we (the staff) ran for safety. I entered a room and tried to hide but they found me and assaulted me. They snatched my gold chain, my ring and my mobile,” he added saying there were around 30 people.
In a tweet sent by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “24 culprits involved in this barbaric attack have been arrested and the chargesheet will be filed at the earliest. I am personally monitoring this investigation and I promise that justice will be served.”
The assault has drawn widespread condemnation and Dr JA Jayalal, president of the Indian Medical Association, has condemned the incident.
Members of the Assam chapter of Assam Medical Services Association (AMSA) have demanded strict action against the culprits and have also boycotted the Outpatient department (OPD) services today in all government medical facilities that could potentially risk the lives of many people.
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