Himanta Biswa Sarma warned of any faults in the quarantine centers.
Guwahati:
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Thursday that any misconduct in quarantine centers would amount to non-reimbursable charges equivalent to an “attempted murder”.
The minister’s comment comes amid reports of heckling by inmates in at least two quarantine centers in Bongaigaon and Chirang districts.
“Those who create all kinds of obstacles for health workers in the exercise of their functions, all kinds of misconduct, will lead to their arrest and (accused) will be consecutively sentenced to uncontrollable charges such as attempted murder” . Sarma said Thursday.
He added that patients can contact him directly if they encounter problems inside the quarantine centers.
Mr. Sarma, very active on social media platforms, has helped many people who ask questions directly with him.
At the Bongaigaon quarantine facility, detainees are said to have abused health workers over the quality of the food.
In Chirang, the detainees fled the center. When they got caught, they also complained about the quality of the food.
“We are going through a sensitive period and the morale of the health workers who lead the COVID battle for us on the front line should not be hampered. In addition, this kind of neglect on the part of people placed in quarantine centers can endanger the lives of others. Strong action against them is the order of the day, “said Binisha Devi, a health worker.
There have been many such incidents where people have been caught skipping quarantine or misbehaving with health workers.
In Golaghat, some people have been found spitting inside the compound, despite clear instructions that body fluids may be the main carriers of the virus.
So far, Assam has only charged the accused with article 269 of the ICC (negligent act likely to spread an infection with a life-threatening illness) and article 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection with a life-threatening illness), both of whom are liable to imprisonment for only six months.
