Millat Times condemns it in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of thrashing its journalist Shahnawaz Hussain in Madhepura district (Bihar). He was attacked when he went to cover the news of alleged gross negligence committed by Dr. Santosh Kumar of Patliputra hospital, Madhepura district over the poor woman. A video which shows a local millat times journalist, Shahnawaz Hussain, being thrashed and beaten up by Dr. Santosh Kumar. Santosh Kumar is seen in video snatching rifle from the guard and firing one round of warning shot in open air, as reported by reporter.
It was alleged by the woman that Dr. Santosh Kumar acted negligently In rendering care because of which the harm was caused to her. Even proper care was not taken during the surgical procedure, bleeding was caused due to medical negligence. She demands that an exemplary action should be given to him as per law.
“This is a cowardly act that is designed to intimidate and frighten journalists from carrying out their duties”, said Shams Tabrez Qasmi Millat Times Chief Editor. He further said that journalists should not be assaulted for reporting on issues of public interest.
He has requested the local administration to do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.
A study by the Harvard University showed that nearly 50 lakhs people in India suffer due to medical negligence annually and it was triggered by lack of practical knowledge among the doctors and nurses to handle patients when brought to the hospital.
“This attack on a journalist is condemnable in the strongest words. A high-level time-bound enquiry must be set up to probe this incident and if the doctor is found guilty, he must be suitably punished”, Former Chairman, Minorities Commission Zafarul Islam Khan tweeted by tagging CM Nitish Kumar and Bihar Police.
RJD MLA Sarfraz Alam said in a tweet, Is it a crime to do journalism? further said that stern and immediate action on hospital’s staff must be initiated. He demanded that such attacks against mediapersons should be taken seriously by the government and the police.
Millat times in a statement demanded the arrest of Dr. Santosh Kumar and others immediately and urged the local administration to take steps to enable the press to discharge their duties in a free and fair manner.
