Telangana Police to sought strict action against those who attack healthcare officials

In wake of rising incidents of attacks against healthcare workers amid coronavirus pandemic, Telangana Police have decided to book individuals attacking healthcare professionals under stringent laws. DGP M. Mahender Reddy has instructed police personnel to observe zero tolerance in such incidents and to ensure that those involved in such incidents do t go unpunished. So far, 647 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in state while 120 individuals have recovered. 18 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Telangana.

Recently, a 23-year-old COVID patient was arrested for attacking a doctor at Gandhi Hospital on April 1 following his relative's death, who was under treatment in same isolation ward. accused was produced before a magistrate through video link and was remanded to judicial custody but would continue to remain under treatment at same hospital.

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2 men charged for attacking junior doctor 

In ar such incident, state police arrested two men for attacking a junior doctor at Osmania General Hospital on Tuesday. y had allegedly assaulted doctor for keeping ir relative in a ward which had COVID-19 patients. duo was also produced before a magistrate through video link and was remanded to judicial custody.

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y have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), section 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), section 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), section 271 (Disobedience to quarantine rule) and Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 section 3 (Disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act).

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Telangana Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Dam to Property) Act 2008, which prohibits violence against health-care personnel and dam to property in medicare service institutions, has also been invoked against those found guilty. A person found guilty under this Act may be punished with three-year imprisonment and fine, which may extend to Rs 50,000. It's a n-bailable and cognizable offence. 

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Im Credits: PTI