Dimapur, April 24 (EMN): The Government of India has further amended the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 through Epidemic Disease (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 with immediate effect and it would be applicable throughout the country.
According to the amendment, any person indulging in any act of violence or abetting the commission of an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel which includes any public and clinical healthcare provider such as doctor, nurse, paramedical worker and community health worker or cause any damage or loss to any property during an epidemic would be punished with imprisonment for a term which would not be less than three months, but which might extend to five years, and with fine, which would not be less than INR 50,000 but might extend to INR 2 lakh.
Further whoever, while committing an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel, causes grievous hurt as defined in section 320 of the Indian Penal Code to such person, would be punished with imprisonment for a term which would not be less than six months, but which might extend to seven years and with fine, which would not be less than INR 1 lakh, but which might extend to INR 5 lakh.
Act of violence besides harm, injury, hurt, intimidation or danger to the life of such healthcare service personnel, either within the premises of a clinical establishment or otherwise would also include harassment impacting the living or working conditions of such healthcare service personnel and preventing him from discharging his duties.