AHRC seeks report on swine flu

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, March 13: The Assam Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the State government on the steps taken to contain the spread of swine flu. A division bench of the commission comprising Dr. Justice AH Saikia and T. Phookan took suo-motu cognizance of media reports, including those that appeared in The Sentinel, about the outbreak of H1N1 influenza in the State causing the death of at least two in the district of Jorhat besides terrifying and panicking the people. In an order, the AHRC asked the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report within two weeks as to what steps have been taken by the government in order to tackle, control and contain the situation. It was reported that at least ten cases of the swine flu have so far been detected in Assam. “The basic facts about the disease stated to have been first detected in Mexico in April, 2009, that spread subsequently to many a country in the World, have been circulated through some of those newspapers throwing light on how the disease spreads, what are its symptoms and how to keep away from that influenza being attacked. The Government of Assam is reported to have taken certain measures to prevent the onslaught of the disease, to contain it and make the people aware of the symptoms of the disease with special Swine Flu isolation wards having reportedly been setup at the GMCH, AMCH and JMCH among others. But still the panicky people have been in doubt as to what steps the State Government has taken towards preventing, curbing and curing the horrifying disease. Failure of the Government in taking necessary measures for protecting the people from being infected by the disease has also been attributed in the said news,” the AHRC said in a statement.