BHUBANESWAR: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman PL Punia’s demand for arrest of the inspector and government doctors of Pipili has not gone down well with the respective fraternities.
The services associations of the police officers and peripheral doctors have responded strongly saying any move to arrest the officials will meet with agitation.
The Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) on Monday said doctors’ negligence can only be assessed by a technical team comprising senior physicians as per the Supreme Court guidelines.
He added that the State Government could constitute a fact-finding team and arrive at the conclusion that there, indeed, was negligence on the part of doctors at Pipili Hospital.
“There is a law of the land which must be followed. Punia does not have the technical expertise to conclude that the doctors neglected the victim,” OMSA president Dr Madhusudan Mishra said.
The OMSA said that any move to act against the doctors, basing on Punia’s demand, will see democratic retaliation. If needed, legal measures will also be taken.
While the doctors are agitated, the police officers are outraged. The Orissa Police Association (OPA) also warned of agitation if the former Inspector of Pipili Amulya Champatiray was booked and arrested.
The association said at least three different inquiries are pending against the police officer. Besides the judicial commission of inquiry, the Crime Branch is in the midst of an investigation. That apart, a departmental proceeding is on against Champatiray.
OPA president Sabarmal Sharma said, Punia’s demand for arrest was ridiculous since it is against natural law. “With at least three investigations pending, the officer has been dismissed from service. He has already been punished before being proven guilty. Now the demand for arrest is nothing but outrageous,” he added.
The association warned that its members would resort to agitation
if the Government plans to arrest him.