ASF in Devipur: Mass killing of pigs soon

 

Tests have confirmed that deadly African Swine Flu (ASF) disease has hit the pigs at Tripura Government’s Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) run Devipur breeding farm in Sepahijala district in Tripura. In view the outbreak of the ASF, a decision has been taken for mass killing of pigs in the farm.

 

Minister for Animal Resource Development Bhagaban Das announced the decision during a press conference on Friday.

 

As several pigs already died of the ASF in the Devipur farm, the decision for mass killing of pigs has been taken as per the central guidelines, the Minister informed the media.

 

As the prevalence of the ASF among the pigs was noticed during the last few days in Devipur farm, blood samples of some of the pigs were sent to the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Guwahati for testing on April 13 last. Result of the tests confirmed ASF was positive in the samples on April 16 last.

 

“As there is no vaccine available for Swine flu, the pigs of the Devipur farm have to be killed en masse immediately”, Das said.

  

Sonamura Book Fair called off

In the wake of Nor’wester-induced damage to books during the Udaipur Book Fair, the 5-day long Book Fair at Sonamura has been called off. Speaking about the prevailing situation, secretary of All Tripura Book Sellers’ and Publishers’ Association Uttam Chakraborty said, a total of 17 out of the 26 bookstalls put up at the Udaipur Book Fair were damaged in the recent Nor’wester. A large number of books were damaged and booksellers suffered huge losses. Moreover, after the damage, the number of available books was also not adequate to participate in a 5-day long Book Fair.

“In view of this situation, we have decided to call off the Fair at Sonamura. However, we are keen to hold a Book Fair in Sonamura, if possible, during October-November”, Uttam Chakraborty said.

He, however, hailed the local administration of Udaipur for standing by the side of the booksellers who participated in the Udaipur Book Fair and faced the fury of nature.