Apart from the fact that culling operations are on in Darjeeling, the state ARD officials said that mopping up operations have been ordered in Birbhum, Burdwan and Murshidabad after Central ARD officials found that many chickens were roaming in the notified areas even after the state announced completion of culling and disinfection operation in these areas.

But the fresh process was ordered at a time when the authorities are struggling to set up required number of rapid response teams as a majority of the state government staff have been engaged in duties related to rural polls.

Anisur Rahman, state ARD minister, said: “We are doing whatever we can. It is true that manpower is stretched at a time when the panchayat polls are in full swing.”

“But the department has realised the urgency of carrying out the process this time. Though the district magistrates are repeatedly expressing their helplessness owing to the unavailability of manpower, the top brass of the department has made it clear that no careless attitude would be entertained,” said a senior official of the department.

According to report submitted by the Central ARD teams deployed in these three districts, nearly 6,000 chickens have to be culled after the fresh notice was issued.

On May 10 culling of birds began in 42 villages in the foothills of Darjeeling district where avian flu has been detected. District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey said 283 birds were reported to have died in and around Sukna between April 27 and May 4 following which samples were sent to the High Security Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal which confirmed the outbreak of avian flu. The operations continued even today as at some areas chickens were left out.