AHRC issues notice to Assam Chief Secy on swine flu outbreak

Assam Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the state Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report on steps being taken to tackle, control and contain the outbreak of swine flu in Assam.
A division bench of the commission comprising justices A H Saikia and T Phookan, taking suo-motu cognisance of news items published in newspapers on the outbreak of the virus infection in Assam causing the death of two persons from Jorhat district, issued its order yesterday.
A press release of the AHRC today said the Chief Secretary was asked to submit a detailed report within two weeks of receiving the notice.

The commission referred to media reports that at least ten cases of swine flu have been detected in Assam and out of them two have been fatal.
"The Government of Assam is reported to have taken certain measures to prevent the onslaught of the disease, to contain it and make people aware of the symptoms of the disease with special swine flu isolation wards having reportedly been set up at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Assam Medical College Hospital and Jorhat Medical College Hospital, among others," the release said.
"But still the panicky people have been in doubt as to what steps the state government has taken towards preventing, curbing and curing the horrifying disease. Failure of the government in taking necessary measures for protecting people from being infected by the disease has also been attributed in the said news," it added.