GUWAHATI: A lower court in Assam’s Hojai district, about 170 km from Guwahati, on Wednesday sent seven of the 24 accused arrested in connection with assaulting an on-duty doctor to three-day police custody and 14 to judicial custody.
The remaining three, who claimed to be minors, have been sent to a juvenile home.
On Tuesday afternoon, a mob assaulted doctor Seuj Kumar Senapati and other staff of the Udali Covid care centre (CCC) and damaged the healthcare facility following the death of a Covid-19 patient identified as Giyasuddin.
The attackers alleged negligence by the doctor and his medical team for the fatality.
A video on the incident circulated via social media showed the mob kicking and hitting the doctor on his head with medical equipment.
One among then was also seen holding a knife.
An eyewitness, a resident of an area near the centre, said, “We saw two-three people calling somebody to come to the centre with sticks and some other things.
Few minutes later, 25-30 people entered the hospital and started damaging the hospital windows, computers and other properties.
Thereafter, they assaulted the doctor and few other medical staff.” A constable, who was on duty, said, “I was alone.
As soon as they came and attacked, I immediately called the OC of Lanka Police Station.
A police team led by the OC reached the centre within 15 minutes.
The attackers also assaulted me while trying to save the doctor.” The accused, who have been sent to police custody, have been identified as Kamaruddin, Jainal uddin, Rehanuddin, Rahim uddin, Rajul Islam, Mista Begum and Jamil Ahmad.
Though police had sought the custody of eight accused, but the court granted only seven as one was a minor.
Those who have been sent to judicial custody are Saiful Alam, Tayebur Rahman, Rahimuddin, Abdul Kalam, Nurzul Islam, Abdul Goni, Dilwar Hussain, Abul Hussain, Anuwar Hussain, Ikramul HUssain, Najiruddin, Alimuddin, Sarifuddin, Safiquddin and Matibur Rahman.
DGP Bhaskar Mahanta said, “We have nabbed almost all the persons who can be seen in the video.
CID SSP Bibekananda Das will directly supervise the case.
I have already directed him to take the case very strictly.” He added that police will file a strong chargesheet against the accused in the case very shortly.
“Attack on doctors, health workers and other frontline workers will not be tolerated at any cost,” he said.
The DGP further added that police are on the lookout for four more persons involved in the inhuman act.
Police believe a group of people is behind instigating the mob.
The DGP said that the matter would be taken up with the court, requesting fast-track trial of the accused.
Talking about enhanced security at Covid care centres, the DGP said, “The police department does not have sufficient personnel to deployed in all Covid care centres in good numbers.
Still, we will see how we can manage to ensure safety and security of the health workers and doctors.
As of now, we will increase patrolling.”
14 sent to jail for assaulting doctor in Assam’s Hojai district
