Cassian Baliarsingh

The Koraput district administration on Monday served notices to social activist Mamata Behera and Kamala Pujari’s attendant Rajiv Hial for allegedly forcing the Padma Shri awardee to dance inside the ICU of Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital.

In the notice, Jeypore sub-collector Debabar Pradhan had directed the duo to submit their replies in person by September 6, 10am. This was confirmed by Rajiv Hial himself who said that he had been served the notice to appear before the sub-collector.

Earlier, Paraja Samaja of the undivided Koraput threatened to launch a massive protest after the video of the social worker forcibly dancing with Kamala went viral. They demanded stringent action against the social worker and threatened to protest if no action was taken in this regard.

They had also submitted a written memorandum in this regard.

Notably, Kamala’s condition has worsened after she was forced to dance by the social worker.

However, defending her act, Mamata said, Pujari performed Dhemsa, a traditional folk dance in Koraput district, by her own.

“Kamala Pujari was having a mental breakdown due to her illness and lost hope that she would survive. My intension was to make her mentally strong and help her to get well soon. She herself insisted that she would do Dhemsa dance,” Behera said.

On the other hand, Kamala Pujari’s attendant Rajiv Hial also slammed the social worker for making her dance forcibly that has further deteriorated her health.

“We had admitted her to Cuttack for better treatment. However, the social worker continued to take pictures and make videos since the very first day. She should know how to treat a patient who is in the ICU. Her behaviour is very unfortunate,” he stated.

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