Rigzin Samphel, Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), UT Ladakh on April 24 appointed Nodal Officers to ensure adequate security to healthcare professionals and frontline workers who are discharging duties for containment of COVID-19.

An order was issued regarding the appointment.

The order reads: vide its order the Ministry of Home Affairs has communicated advisory/ guidelines for appointment of Nodal Officers at State/UT level and a District level to redress any safety issue of the healthcare professionals, medical staff and frontline workers who are discharging duties for containment of COVID-19.   
 
2. In pursuance to the aforesaid, Stanzin Nurboo KPS, Commandant, IRP 25th Battalion at Union territory level and Zahida Bano KAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh and Sonam Chosjor KAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil at District Level, (Leh & Kargil respectively) are hereby designated as the Nodal Officers who shall ensure as below:- 
 
i. Effective coordination with the Police Department for augmenting the safety and security of all health care professionals and frontline workers engaged in duties for containment of COVID-19.
 
ii. The Nodal Officers shall take immediate and strict action against the offenders in case any incident of violence takes place or the health care workers are obstructed in discharge of their lawful services.
 
iii. The duties of the said Nodal Officers shall be in consonance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which also provides for strict penal action against the offenders by the authorities empowered under the Act.