NHRC demands action against those beating doctors

Kathmandu - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded the government that it took action against those involved in beating doctors, who are providing essential service despite adversity.

Issuing a press release on Friday, NHRC Spokesperson Bed Prasad Bhattarai urged the government to bring to book the police persons involved in attack and provide free treatment to the injured ones.

The police persons have been reminded to maintain restraint while executing government direction. The misbehavior meted out to the medical persons who are working in the forefront in crisis would negatively affect their morale.

So, such activities should not be repeated. Doctors at TU Teaching Hospital Dr Shambhu Khanal, Dr Tej Prakash Shah and Dr Bikas Shah were beaten and misbehaved by the police officers at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for violating lockdown two days back.

The central human rights and monitoring committee including representatives from NHRC, FNJ, NGO Federation and others concluded that the doctors were attacked though they were showing their identity cards.

Dr Tej Prakash's right hand was swollen and had bruises. Similarly, NHRC showed concern over attack on health worker in Sunsari, on commoners returning home after treatment at Kalanki, Kathmandu, the inhuman treatment to general public by the Armed Police Force in Saptari and other misbehaviour of police persons in Baitadi, Darchula and other districts.

While executing government directive during the enforcement of lockdown, the police persons are urged to behave well with the medical and health workers, journalists, human rights defenders and commoners.