Malda District Magistrate Chittaranjan Das on Wednesday held meetings with all political parties and animal resource development (ARD) department officials.

Das said: “We fear that there are misconceptions regarding bird flu which may hamper culling operations. Therefore, I requested political parties to help us spread awareness. We are also working closely with panchayat leaders to chalk out a plan in combating the disease at the local level.”

In his meeting with ARD officials, Das gave instructions regarding the formation of culling teams and their operation.

“We are yet to decide on the areas where culling operations need to be conducted. But already, requisition for protective gears and tablets have been sent to the state government,” he added.

State ARD minister Anisur Rehman said: “I have asked the district administration to be prepared. Steps are being taken to form culling teams. Special suits and tamiflu tablets are also on their way to the districts. Till date, however, we have received no official confirmation of bird flu from the Bhopal laboratory.”

On Tuesday, about 800 birds and a large number of chicks died in the government farm in Malda Town’s Rabindranagar.