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Mokokchung, Oct. 14 (EMN): The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has vehemently condemned the recent viral public exposure of the names, bio-data and other details of its officials and members in print and social media who are currently in self-quarantine and isolation.
“The imprudent act is in direct violation of medical ethics and patients rights to privacy and confidentiality,” AKM stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.
AKM stated that such acts violated the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897 clause No. 13 which states that ‘no individual/ institution/ organisation will use any print or electronic media for information regarding Covid-19 without prior permission from recognised authority.'
AKM felt that at a time like this, people need to be wise, empathise, and support each other.
"We understand the rationale and fear behind the actions that happened but it has put at risk the mental and the emotional health of the quarantined members and their family members. It has also created unwanted fear and stigma of the members in the eye of the public," the statement read.
In this connection, AKM cautioned that any individual and organisation found to be sharing and creating such a situation would be reported to the concerned authority for criminal prosecution. It also requested the concerned district administration and law-keeping agencies to take note of such untoward cases and take necessary actions.
Meanwhile, AKM has also wrote a letter to deputy commissioner, Mokokchung, for 'invocation and execution of penalty clause of the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020 (Clause 21)'
The letter stated that some unscrupulous elements are exposing the identity of Covid-19 affected people in Mokokchung by circulating their names, bio-data and other personal details which are unacceptable and totally against the provisions of laid down rules and regulations.
In this connection, the AKM requested the concerned authority to invoke and execute the penalty clause of the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020 (Clause 21) and press charges against the culprits immediately.
AKM further requested to furnish details of the culprit/s in the public domain and be made known to its officials.
The AKM also put on record that inability to invoke and execute the above stated section of law would be considered as dereliction of duty on their part for which the AKM stated that it would be forced to resort to their own course of action. It added the consequences would be solely held responsible by the concerned authority.