Mizo govt. announces Rs 1000 reward for catch of big rat

Aizawl, Apr 26 (UNI) The Mizoram government has offered a cash reward of Rs 1000 on production of ''big rats'', dead or alive, following reports of proliferation of big rats due to bamboo flowering in the region.

Talking to UNI here today, Agriculture plant protection officer James Lalsiamliana said ''normally these species of big rat exist only in the plains, however, due to bamboo flowering in the region it could have migrated to the hills''.

To verify the reports of the people from Darlawn village area in north eastern Mizoram, who have noticed this kind of big rat, the department has offered a reward of Rs 1000 for the rat.

Mr James said ''our department would be investigating all these rumours either to disprove them or to confirm it''.

According to the local expert C Rokhuma, 81 years old and a Padmashri recipient of 1992, Chawmnu is a giant rodent that is as big as a young female pig and is considered to be a notorious ringleader.

Rokhuma, who headed the rodent control team during last bamboo flowering said ''During the 1977 Thingtam (bamboo flowering) famine, one such giant-sized rat was killed in Diltlang village. The Chawmnu rat has a white spot on its forehead and the tail is usually white.

In the earlier famines during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Chawmnu rats had caused the maximum destruction.

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