Malda to begin culling

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 22: The Malda administration is preparing to cull birds from Thursday with the help of police, district magistrate Mr CR Das said today. He said the administration was fearing villagers’ resistance in the northern part of the district.Mr CR Das said: “Though we are yet to receive an official notification, sources tell us that the samples from Chanchal have tested positive for avian flu”. “We will proceed assuming Mahanandapur in Chanchal block-I as the epicentre and launch awareness campaigns accordingly. Birds will be killed over a 3 kn radius with Mahanandapur as the epicentre only after receiving official confirmation. Developments in the 5-km radius beyond it will be closely monitored," the DM said. Manpower shortage, non-receipt of government notification and necessary preventive equipment were delaying the culling process, the deputy director, Malda animal resources development (ARD), alleged. “If Mahanandapur is the epicentre, we will have to kill at least 25,000 chickens, based on the poultry census 2003," Mr Shit said. Two dead birds and blood samples of 13 ailing birds were collected from Chanchal and sent to Bhopal a few days ago. Though it was reported that thousands of poultry died in last few weeks, the ARD said only 100 birds died in this area over the past three days. The DM said: “How can one kill the hens without providing compensation to the farmers on the spot? We are waiting for an exhaustive directive from the government before beginning to cull the birds. The villagers may prevent the Rapid Response Team (RRT) from killing birds but we will go on." The DM will enlist the help of police if need be. All departments concerned have been asked to set up culling teams. The Chanchal SDO is currently in Birbhum. He has been summoned. One truck-load of protective gear for culling arrived here this morning from South Dinajpur. The DM has sent the consignment to the government store in Chanchal. Malda ARD staff, currently in South Dinajpur, will return to the district tonight.