GUWAHATI, DEC 14: At least 18 pigs were culled by a team of doctors and medical workers after they suspected them of being infected by African Swine Fever (ASF).
The incident was reported from Assam’s Lakhimpur district. Pigs distributed among beneficiaries under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurwan Mission (SPMRM)
All the pigs were distributed under the SPMRM scheme in Khaman Lagachu, Ruptali and Bar Khaman villages of Maatmora Gaon Panchayat of Dhakuwakhona sub-division of Lakhimpur district.
The culling of the pigs was carried out in the presence of the Executive Magistrate of Dhakuakhana Sub-Division and Dhakuakhana Police.
The pigs were distributed to the beneficiaries of the scheme on December 3 this year but there were allegations that the supplier of the piglets did not follow any health check regulations.
An official said that the villagers were alarmed when nine of the distributed piglets died with ASF symptoms.
Villagers also handed over other suspected ASF-infected pigs outside the scheme for culling to the veterinary team.