Villagers oppose Covid sampling

Patiala, August 30

Residents of Arnetu village in Patran block of the district restricted the health teams from entering the village for Covid sampling this morning.

The villagers came out on roads with sticks in their hands to stop the sampling process. The police reached the spot and no one was hurt.

A similar incident was also reported in Dhanori village in Nabha block of the district where ASHA workers and health officials were abused and made to return. Villagers alleged the Health Department was deliberately reporting people as Covid positive for minting money and achieving their daily targets.

The villagers also alleged that there was a racket of organ extortion being run by the authorities. Therefore, patients in the village would be isolated in the village itself, they said. Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Harish said: “People will be home-quarantined if they fulfil the requirements. Secondly, all the allegations of the villagers are baseless.”

Darshan Singh, a resident of Dhanouri village, said, “The village has passed a resolution that health teams will not be allowed to collect samples because villagers fear that whoever is admitted to government hospital is not surviving.” — TNS