If this is the way they treat us, we can imagine how the Jarawa and other tribes are treated… : Prem Devi

Kadamtala, Oct. 21: In an astonishing incident reported today evening, the Medical Officer of PHC Kadamtala has been alleged to have abused a Great Andamanese man for not wearing his face mask properly. It has also been alleged that the concerned Doctor also tried to manhandle the Great Andamanese man after abusing him.

Speaking to Andaman Chronicle, Prem Devi (50), W/o Loka (55), resident of Strait Island said, “The doctor at Kadamtala abused my husband and also tried to manhandle him. All this because he did not wear his face mask properly”, questioned the 50 year old Great Andamanese lady.

Loka along with his daughters Gulab Devi (mother of a two year old child) and Ria had reached Kadamtala yesterday night in a country boat provided by the AAJVS. The child is said to be sick and also one of the lady members in the group is 45 days pregnant. The tribal members intended to get proper health check-up at GB Pant Hospital, in Port Blair.

After reaching Kadamtala Jetty, the tribals members were made to wait for long and finally at around 12.00 midnight, health workers had come to take their samples for COVID testing. It was only today evening at around 7.00 pm, that the tests indicated the Loka is positive for corona virus.

“After testing positive for the virus, Loka was placed in isolation but before that when he saw the Doctor at the PHC, he was abused and insulted by the concerned Doctor. The Doctor also tried to manhandle him, treating him and my family as animals”, said the worried Prem Devi, who is at present away from her family in Strait Island.

“We tried to contact the AAJVS officials at Port Blair and Kadamtala after the incident but we never got any proper response”, alleges Prem Devi.  

“If this is the way they treat us, we can imagine how the Jarawa and other tribes are treated, who cannot even speak for themselves”, Prem Devi said.