The operations which were started on May 10 could not be completed even today. The authorities, however, today decided that the culling in two blocks of Siliguri and one block in Kurseong in Darjeeling district will continue for another two days.
“Villagers are still not cooperating. Besides, we do not have adequate number of staff. I have asked the district magistrate to hold an all-party meeting and initiate awareness campaigns against avian flu,” said Animal Resource Development Minister Anisur Rahman.
According to Darjeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey, “A total of 20,298 birds were culled since May 10.” He added that a few thousand were yet to be killed as some villagers are not willing to cooperate.
“It was decided in an emergency meeting today that the mopping up operation which began today will also continue,” said an official of the district administration.
Following the outbreak of avian influenza at Bagdogra, Matigara, Naxalbari in Siliguri and Sukna in Kurseong sub-divisions, the administration had banned trading of chicken and poultry products in these areas. But poultry markets in these areas remained open even after the ban.