Birds being disposed of after the culling operation in Manipur. A file picture

Aug. 6: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh may have declared that “bird flu is completely under control”, but neighbouring Karbi Anglong district is not taking any chances.

Fears of a possible outbreak of avian flu has prompted the district administration to impose restrictions on the import of poultry from not only Manipur but also Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu formed a vigilance-cum-monitoring committee comprising officials from the police, veterinary, health, sales tax and forest departments last week to prevent an outbreak of the disease.

“All entry points have been sealed and restrictions imposed on importing all kinds of birds and poultry,” Angamuthu said.

Three routes — Dimapur via Khotkhoti in Bokajan, Meghalaya via Khandhuli in Hamren and Meghalaya via North Cachar Hills — are usually used by traders to bring poultry to the district.

“We are maintaining vigilance and monitoring cells at the three entry points to ensure that poultry does not enter Karbi Anglong from their,” the deputy commissioner said.

Mushrooming poultry farms, especially in Hamren and Bokajan subdivisions, have added to the administration’s worries. “More than 300,000 Chakma and suspected Bangladeshi immigrants are living in the reserve forests. As poultry and timber trade can be begun with very little capital, it is a popular source of income among them,” a source added.

“So far, we do not have a clear idea on the number of poultry firms in the district. We are now preparing a database to gather specific information on the movement of poultry products from affected pockets and the supply chain. Poultry farmers and officers will be held responsible if they fail to report any unnatural death in their farms,” Angamuthu said. The forest department has also been directed to keep a eye on migratory birds.

A training-cum-awareness programme will soon be organised by the administration for government officers and poultry farmers.