Support pours in for health warrior manhandled at Ludhiana dera

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 16

Different associations of the Health Department employees have demanded a strict action against the persons who manhandled a multipurpose health worker on the Covid-19 duty, at a dera, in Ludhiana district.

Health employees stated that the multipurpose health worker Mastaan Singh had visited the dera on instructions of the senior officials after some patients tested positive there. “Instead of cooperating with the health employees, a sadhu and his followers at the dera manhandled him and recorded the incident. They even uploaded the same on the social media,” said Shamsher Singh Kohri, Convener, Punjab State Pharmacy Officers Association.

Ashok Sharma of the association said if the government failed to take action, it would send a wrong message. “Why would an employee risk his life and put his dignity at stake if such incidents take place. The government should take the strictest possible action against the culprits,” said Sharma.

Coordination Committee of Paramedical and health employees unions has also condemned the incident. President Narinder Kumar said, “Government does not seem to be concerned about the incidents of violence against health employees. The Ludhiana incident is shameful and government should ensure dignity and safety of health workers.” The nursing association at Government Medical College has also demanded action against the culprits.

Meanwhile Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandak Committee (SGPC) has also demanded action against the culprits stating that the health worker’s turban was removed by the culprits and his religious symbols were desecrated. He added that government should take action in this regard so that the employees don not feel disheartened.

“Besides, the government should also take action against the culprits as they had hurt the religious sentiments and sensibility of the masses,” he said, while making an appeal to the Chief Minister for the immediate arrest of culprits.