HT Correspondent
JORHAT, July 7: In view of the rising number of Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases in Jorhat district, the Jorhat district unit of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has called on the district administration to immediately implement comprehensive preventive and healthcare measures to safeguard public health.
In a memorandum submitted to Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Jay Shivani on Monday, AASU expressed concern over the recent outbreak of the disease, which has already claimed lives and confirmed several positive cases.
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The student body warned that the situation has triggered widespread anxiety and unrest among the people.
The memorandum outlined a six-point charter of demands, including the formation of a crisis management committee comprising officials from the district administration and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
AASU has also demanded the launch of a targeted vaccination campaign for children and the elderly, along with intensified fogging operations across the district to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
Other key demands include free testing and treatment for suspected encephalitis cases, increased public awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas, and assurance of adequate availability of beds, medicines, medical equipment and doctors at all health centres.
AASU also called for impartial investigations into every suspected encephalitis-related death and the formation of a special investigation committee to focus on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and pregnant women.
AASU Jorhat district unit president Pritam Jyoti Saikia said that with around 10 people already diagnosed with JE, immediate and coordinated action was essential.
“Awareness, early action and organised management is the only way to protect the people at this time. Our humble request to the administration is to consider this issue as a priority in the interest of public safety and take constructive action in coordination with all departments,” he said.
Acting General Secretary Raktim Ranjan Bora added that the disease had taken a worrying turn, and reaffirmed AASU’s commitment to raising public interest issues.
He expressed hope that the administration would take prompt and appropriate steps to control the situation in the coming days.
