Twilang people negate Vety Dept's statement, say nearly 100 cattle already lost due to FMD
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, June 21 2017:
Strongly reacting to the official statement/clarification of Veterinary Department regarding the reported outbreak of FMD and its subsequent death toll, people of Twilang area today vehemently censured the Department's statement.
They further claimed that nearly hundred cattle have already died of FMD in the area.
Representative of enraged villagers of FMD-affected Twilang area came down to Kangpokpi today and met the Executive Member of ADC Sadar Hills and Veterinary officials over the matter.
Addressing the press later in the afternoon at Kangpokpi DHQs, BP Vikas Basnet, Executive Member (Vety), ADC-SH said that it is painful to come across such 'senseless' statement and clarification on the part of the Veterinary Department officials when people are facing hardship due to the outbreak of FMD in the area.
He pointed out that around 88 cows and 2 goats have already died due to FMD at different places in the area so far.
He also said that many more deaths of cattle has been reported from other places have poured in.
However, the exact death is yet to be ascertained, he added.
He continued that Veterinary Officer of SHADC Kpi, Dr John Meigai and his team has been sent and stationed in the area since June 9 and they have also personally witnessed and verified the death of cattle owing to the outbreak of FMD in the area.
He further said that despite of the tireless efforts and struggles on the apart of the District Council Administration and the tremendous hardship and grievances of the people owing to FMD outbreak, the senseless statement of Veterinary officials is too embarrassing.
"A punitive action should be initiated by the concerned authority and the State Government upon the Veterinary officials who confined themselves in their respective office and made a blatant clarification and statement without knowing the ground reality and without considering the extremely painful situation in the area", BP Vikas Basnet asserted.
Seilen Lhoujem, elected ADC Member from Wakotphai DCC and the representatives of Twilang people also joined the press meet.