Sivasagar District Administration Organize Meeting to Stop Recurrence of Teok-like Incidents
A CORRESPONDENT
GAURISAGAR: In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident of the killing of a doctor at Teok Tea Estate, the district administration organized a crucial meeting with the officials of health department, representatives of medical associations, tea tribes’ associations and students’ bodies on Thursday to discuss at length the possible measures to be taken so that no such incident is repeated in future. The meeting was held at the Sukafa Conference Hall of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar. In a clarion call to all, the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner stressed on the need for putting in a collective effort to stop such shameful acts of violence. It may be noted that due to the occurrence of such acts of violence, the State’s image has been blemished.
The meeting discussed at length about the health services available at the tea gardens and the number of doctors and health workers serving at the tea garden hospitals and dispensaries. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that the provisions and guidelines laid under the Plantation Labour Act should strictly be adhered to by the tea garden authorities. The district Labour and Welfare department officials were directed to be more vigilant in this regard and if any violation is noticed or reported, the department would take strict action immediately. The tea garden authorities were instructed to strengthen the public grievance mechanism in their respective gardens. The DC further reiterated that no one can shy away from the collective responsibilities in bringing a positive change in the society.
During the course of interaction, the DC called on the tea tribes’ organizations and students’ bodies to generate maximum awareness so that such incidents do not occur. Attending the meeting, the Superintendent of Police Amitava Sinha stated that all have a collective social responsibility in maintaining a peaceful environment in the society. Terming the incident of assault of medical practitioner as sheer shameful act, he stated that the organizations and students’ bodies should be vigilant against such acts. “The tea garden authorities need to focus on the security aspects in the hospitals”, he added. “Installation of close circuit cameras in hospital or dispensary premises will act as a very good deterrent”, SP Sinha opined.
Stressing on the need to improve the present health scenario in the tea garden areas, the Joint Director of Health Services Dr. Ripun Borpujari called on the tea tribes organizations and students bodies to create massive awareness drives about various diseases, food habits, against child marriages, illicit liquor and other relevant issues.
Terming the recent incident of Teok as a disgrace in the face of humanity and condemning it, the meeting took a pledge to contribute both individually and collectively towards building a healthy and cordial environment in the greater interest of the society so that such incidents never recur in future.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dilip Terang, Officials from Health department and district Labour and Welfare department, representatives of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Assam Medical Services Association (AMSA), Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam Assam.