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Srinagar, Mar 10 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) to prevent the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department employees from going on a strike or remain absent from duty in the wake of deadly bird flu scare in the state, official sources said.

The sources said the state administration has also declared the veterinary services as ''essential services''.

According to today's order (SRO-86), the government directed all the employees of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry (both veterinarians and para-veterinarians) not to go on a strike or remain absent or depart from the place of their duty.

Anybody found violating the directions would be liable to severe punishment with imprisonment up to one year besides fine, the order said.

The sources said the government decision comes in the wake of the deadly avian influenza scare in the state.

UNI AG VD BS1909