Dalu, Asiragre under grip of African Swine Fever

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 6: The state government has declared Dalu and Asiragre villages under Dalu Block in West Garo Hills District as ‘epicenters’ of African Swine Fever.

This was based on the test result of pig tissue samples dated March 30, 2023, regarding confirmation of the African Swine Fever outbreak in Meghalaya by the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) Guwahati vide letter dated March 31, 2023, Secretary in-charge AH & Veterinary Dr Manjunatha C said in a notification issued today.

As per the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the restrictions are applicable with immediate effect in the villages under 1 (one) a kilometre radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Infected Zone” and in all villages falling under 10 KM radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Surveillance Zone”.

Restrictions in the Infected Zone:

The notification said there shall be no movement of pigs, genetic material, meat, feeds, equipment, veterinary medicine from Infected Zone into Surveillance Zones and Disease-Free Zone.

All equipment/supplies associated with pig should not be moved out of the pig sheds/pig farms in Infected Zones.

The pig farm owners and pig handlers shall maintain hygiene and bio-security in pig farms and restrict entry of people into farm premises.

There shall be restrictions of the movement of people to the infected premises.

There shall be a complete prohibition of the movement of pig handlers from one pig shed to another.

Vehicles shall be allowed to move out of the infected zone only after cleaning and disinfection.

If pigs are swill-fed, the source of the swill feed should be traced for identification of other possible contact premises.

No person is allowed to take out any pig alive or dead which is infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

No person is allowed to take out any pig feed or bedding materials or other materials namely carcass, skin or other parts or products of such animals which has come in contact with any animal infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

The carcasses shall not be allowed to move out of the infected premises and shall be disposed of in the infected premises itself.

In case of exception where carcass disposal is not possible, the transport of carcasses should be undertaken by the agencies under the control of the District Veterinary office following strict biosecurity protocols and using leakproof vehicles.

The dead pigs should be should be disposed of by deep burial with sufficient lime cover only and not thrown in rivers/canals/streams/water bodies.

After the carcasses have been disposed of, the premises and any potentially contaminated vehicle and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Preliminary disinfection of infected premises should be carried out under the direction and supervision of Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Secondary disinfection shall be carried out by the owner in accordance with the direction of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Contaminated feed, slurry, swill, bedding, farm waste products, litter in infected premises shall be disposed of by deep burial.

There shall be a complete ban on the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork and pork products in the Infected Zone.

Swill feeding (kitchen and restaurant waste) of pigs is prohibited.

Pig markets and abattoirs in the infected zone should strictly be closed down.

The District Veterinary Officer and RRT shall take steps locally to ensure that everyone in and around the infected zone is made aware of the restrictions and requirements in force there.

Local institutions such as Municipalities, village Dorbars, Dolloi, Headmen, Nokmas etc, shall assist the Veterinary Officers/RRT in the discharge of their duties and take necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease as provided under Section 30 of the Act.

Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, canal or any other water body the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected with ASF, shall be guilty of any offence and on conviction, be punished in the cases of a first offence with a fine of two thousand rupees or with imprisonment of one month in case of non-payment of fine and in case of subsequent conviction with a fine of five thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both as provided under Section 33 of the Act.

Under Section 40 of the Act every Competent Officer, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and Veterinary Officer while exercising any power or performing any duty under the said Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

Marcuise accused of violating model code of conduct

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 5: Social activist Tennydard M Marak has filed an FIR against Cabinet Minister and Williamnagar legislator Marcuise N Marak for alleged corrupt practices and violation of the model code of conduct in the recently held 2023 Assembly elections.

The FIR was filed with the Williamnagar police station in East Garo Hills District.

Tennydard had also filed a complaint petition before the Chief Election Commissioner of India on March 23, with copies to the Prime Minister of India, Home Minister as well as Chairman of the North East Democratic Alliance requesting their intervention into the matter and take necessary steps to declare the election of Marcuise N Marak to be void for adopting corrupt practices and holding a fresh election in Williamnagar constituency.

In the FIR, the activist alleged that Marcuise N Marak had circulated the Report Card of 2018-2022 on his activities during the last five years during the election campaigns.

ALSO READ: ACHIK moves Court against communal imbalance

“What is shocking to note that Marcuise N Marak had circulated the report card (which was) printed and published by Jesubell Ch Marak (block secretary, NPP) on February 3, whereas the model code of conduct imposed by the Election Commission is in operation in the state with effect from January 18, thereby amounts to a clear violation of the model code of conduct and therefore, his election deserves to be declared as illegal and fresh election be held,” he said.

Stating that Marcuise has not only deceived the voters of Williamnagar but also a case of breach of trust, Tennydard said the report card is just a blatant violation of the model code of conduct by the MLA.

He further alleged that the report card contained a false and fabricated report of achievement during 2018-2022 but contains no agenda of what he will do if he is elected and thereby misguided the voters by showing his fabricated performance report which has no foot to stand.

“The report card also exposed the true picture of his zero performance report so to say as the works are either incomplete or not done anything at all but claimed to have done it. The pictures given in my petition to the Chief Election Commissioner of India will reveal the truth of my claim,” he said while adding that “The report card claims to have done beautification of the Williamnagar Girls Secondary School is nothing but a blatantly false and fabricated claim of Marcuise N Marak. If you visit the school today you will find the actual truth of his false claim as the school has a boundary wall with rotten rested C.I. Sheets and most importantly the Girls have no gate which is a must for any school.”

ALSO READ: VPP decides to move for special Assembly session

He said that the report card also claims under Sl. No. 7 (a) PMGSY: The road from Nengmandalgre to Mandalgre (35 KM) costing Rs 80 crores is a Road under “Prime Ministers Gram Sadak Yajna” which he has nothing to do but he did not even hesitate to take credit of the work of PMGSY unduly adding “It is a matter of great shame”.

Tennydard said he has waited for more than 10 days but unfortunately no action has been initiated till date for such an important issue.

“Under compelling circumstances, I am filing this FIR with enough prima facie evidence so that the police can verify the truth and initiate appropriate steps after due investigation and book him under the proper section of the law and leave an example of rule of law that “nobody is above the law” before the society at large – which is the need of the present hour,” he said while requesting the police to register a case under the proper section of the law and initiate strictest action against the guilty without wasting any further loss of time.