Culling of poultry birds begins in identified zone
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 20 2015 : Culling of poultry birds began on Monday in bird flu demarcated Imphal areas.

More poultry birds in adjoining villages within a radius of 10 km declared as an "infected and surveillance zone" would be culled in the next few days.

Director of Veterinary and Animal husbandry Dr M Rajendra said that the culling and burial of the chickens have started and the fowl owners will be adequately compensated.

The culling began following the decision taken at a high level meeting chaired by the chief secretary PC Lawmkunga on Sunday.

Positive report of bird flu was received by the Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) on April 18.Since then, the Government was galvanized into a flurry of activity.

However, the ubiquitous chicken shops within the 10 KM radius earmarked as infected zone were seen selling chicken as usual.

Most of the meat sellers refused to comment except stating that they did not get any Government notification to stop selling chickens.

Culling of poultry birds by State authorities and an empty meat shop

DM issues order .

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate Imphal West on Monday imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973 .

In an order issued by District Magistrate (DM) Imphal West Ningthoujam Geoffrey said that no person can transport or move infected birds, dead birds, eggs and other related materials out of the infected site.

There will be no moving of live-birds from and to the infected area and restocking of poultry in the infected zone for three months next beginning on April 19.Transporting and engaging in sale of poultry birds/products including feed and eggs, within the surveillance zone have also been prohibited.

"No person shall operate shops and markets dealing in poultry products, poultry feed and eggs, and the prohibition of sale thereof, within a radius of 10 KM from the infected site until completion of culling and sanitization operations", said the order.

The DM further ordered that the Forest Department will take all possible steps to ensure that wild and stray birds do not have access to the poultry, poultry sheds and water supplies in the infected area.

The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Manipur will also set up nakabandi/drop-gates on all outgoing roads of the infected area and the Police Department will assist in imposing the same, said the order issued by the DM.

The veterinary and animal husbandry department will stamp and dispose of all live poultry birds/other captive birds with all formalities as per the action plan within the infected zone, in the presence of designated officials of the Revenue Department.