Centre asks states to register FIRs in opposition to these concerned in assault on docs

The Centre on Saturday requested state governments to register circumstances and invoke the stringent Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 in opposition to those that bask in assault on docs and healthcare professionals.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla’s letter to States and Union Territories got here following a number of incidents of assault on docs and healthcare professionals in numerous components of the nation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You will agree that any incident of threat or assault on doctors or healthcare professionals may dampen their morale and create a sense of insecurity amongst them. This may adversely affect the healthcare response system,” Bhalla wrote.

The residence secretary stated within the current circumstances, it has turn out to be crucial that strict motion be taken in opposition to those that assault healthcare professionals.
“Institutional FIRs should be registered against assaulters and such cases should be fast-tracked. You may also like to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020, where applicable,” he stated.
According to this legislation, anybody concerned within the assault on docs and healthcare professionals are liable to be punished with imprisonment as much as 5 years, and a positive as much as Rs two lakh.
This offence could also be compounded by the sufferer with the permission of the court docket.
Further, if an act of violence in opposition to a healthcare service personnel causes grievous hurt, the individual committing the offence will probably be punishable with imprisonment as much as seven years and a positive as much as Rs 5 lakh.

These offences will probably be cognisable and non-bailable.
“I would also like to reiterate that a close watch be kept on any objectionable content in social media which may exacerbate such situations. Concerted efforts should be made through posters in hospitals, social media, etc. to emphasise the valuable contribution being made by doctors and other healthcare personnel in the fight against COVID-19,” Bhalla stated.