Man held for attacking doctor at COVID centre in Thane

Thane, Apr 25 () A 30-year-old man has beenarrested from Thane in Maharashtra for allegedly assaulting adoctor at a COVID-19 care centre, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday, two days after theUnion Cabinet approved an ordinance making acts of violenceand harassment against healthcare personnel deployed incombating COVID-19 a non-bailable offence with maximumpunishment of seven years imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh fine.

The accused Abdul Shaikh had gone to the COVID centrein Kasarvadavali area to met his relative, a police officersaid.

"Security guard at the gate and an on-duty doctorprevented Shaikh from entering the premises, saying the entryof outsiders is not allowed as a part of preventive measures.Enraged by this, Shaikh attacked and abused the doctor," saidpolice inspector Kishor Khairnar.

Based on a complaint lodged by the doctor, policebooked Shaikh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code(IPC), the MaharashtraMedicare Service Persons and MedicareService Institutions (Prevention ofViolenceand Damage orLoss to Property) Act,2010 and the Epidemic Diseases Act, hesaid.

The ordinance passed by the Union cabinet will amendthe Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. It will come into effectafter the President promulgates it and the government notifiesit. CORRNSK NSK