Nagaland bat study: Scientific research work must follow protocol, says Health Ministry

Action will be taken to ensure that mechanisms are put in place rectify the situation, says official

All research work has to follow a process and action will be taken if protocols aren’t followed, said the Health Ministry on Tuesday to question on a probe into a filovirus study of bats in Nagaland undertaken by the Bengaluru-based National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The Ministry’s response follows the article published in The Hindu on June 15. The Hindu had also first reported on the study in February 2020 on the enquiry being initiated into whether adequate permissions had been sought for the study that according to a Central government report now specified “concerning lapses” in the conduct and protocols followed.