Culling begins in Dinhata with police help

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 25: Though delayed for non-availability of adequate quantity of masks, aprons and other necessary materials the culling of domestic birds started this noon at Jaridharla, Daribash and adjoining villages within five-kilometre radius. The area is adjacent to the Indo-Bangladesh border. Many elderly women were found with tears rolling down their cheeks when the animal resources development department men culled the ducks and pigeons but no one resisted them to commit the job.

 

District magistrate of Cooch Behar, Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said fifty rapid response teams (RRT) were deployed today. Medical test of the members of the RRTs was done and they were administered with preventive medicines before sending for the culling operation. As consuming of any food and water is prohibited during the procedure they consumed food and water prior to begin work of culling. The RRT men were trained yesterday about the process of culling and a senior official Dr Vijay Kumar who came from New Delhi supervised the training. The DM hoped that culling in the affected area is expected to be completed within two days but if necessary the period may be extended.

 

The RRTs will keep the affected area under surveillance for an additional ten days. Spraying of lime and other disinfectants will be done from tomorrow to prevent spreading of the deadly virus.

 

On the otherhand, Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar said culling is being done peacefully and no resistance came from the villagers concerned. Adequate number of policemen were deployed with the RRTs. Police are keeping watch over the situation to maintain peace, he added.

 

Mr Kumar said vehicles and markets are being checked to stop transportation and trading of chickens. Police are keeping constant contact with Border Security Force to prevent smuggling of chickens through the border. The BSF already beefed up vigilance along the international border to stop spreading of the bird flu disease, the SP said. []

 

Auto-rickshaw stir

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 25: Members of CITU affiliated Cooch Behar Auto-rickshaw Union took out a long rally with their vehicles today to protest against practice of corruption during extending licences and route permits. Later, they submitted a memorandum containing five-point charter of demands to the secretary of Regional Transport Authority at Sagardighi Square. Due to the agitation the commuters of different routes had to suffer for a long. []