In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident of the killing of a doctor at Teok Tea Estate, the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Dr S Lakshmanan held a crucial meeting with the officials of health department, representatives of medical associations, tea tribes associations and students bodies on Thursday.
The meeting discussed at length on 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 Deputy Commissioner stressed on the need for putting in collective effort to put a stop to such shameful act of violence.
Due to the occurrence of such acts of violence, the State’s image is blemished.
Dr Lakshmanan took a detailed stock of the health services available at the tea gardens and the number of doctors and health workers serving at the tea garden hospitals and dispensaries.
He emphasized that the provisions and guidelines laid under the Plantation Labour Act should strictly be adhered to by the tea garden authorities.
He also directed the district Labour and Welfare department officials to be more vigilant in this regard and instructed that if any violation is noticed or reported, strict action should be taken immediately.
He also directed the tea garden authorities to strengthen the public grievance mechanism in their respective gardens.
He further reiterated that no one can shy of 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 organisations and students bodies should be vigilant against such acts.
“The tea garden authorities need 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, against child marriages, illicit liquer 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.