Madhya Pradesh: Covid-19 vaccination team attacked in Ujjain, two held

INDORE: A team of health and administrative officials was attacked by a mob of around 100 people on Monday when they were trying to start a Covid-19 vaccination camp in Malikhedi village of Ujjain district.
The team, comprising around 25 members led by tehsildar Anu Jain, was visiting the village around 14km from Unhel police station, when the attack took place, SDM Ashutosh Goswami said.
“Villagers had preconceived notions about vaccinations and were not willing to take the jabs. The team was attempting to create awareness when the attack took place,” he said.
The crowd, mostly members of Pardi community, tried to stop the team and entered into a heated discussion. Soon stones were pelted and the team members were attacked with sticks.
Two persons, including Shakil Mohd, husband of the village secretary, were injured in the attack.
Unhel police station in-charge Doulatram Jogawat said that five persons were booked for assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. “Two accused – Maksi Singh and Chandula have been arrested,” he said.
A separate complaint was filed on the complaint of Shakil Mohd, he said adding the accused have also been booked for voluntarily causing hurt, using abusive words and issuing threats.
Most of the members of the team were safe as they were in their vehicles when violence broke out, block medical officer Dr Kamal Solanki said. “We had conducted four vaccinations of people above the age of 45 years, when the commotion broke out,” he said.
Subsequently, the teams moved towards village Piplia Molu for another vaccination camp.
Police were deployed in strength at the village to prevent any flare up.