Megh government directs BSF and Customs to tackle bird flu

Shillong, Apr 21 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has directed the Border Security Force and Customs Officails to assist the Veterinary Department along the Indo-Bangla border to keep a check on the border movement of poultry and poultry products, a senior government official said today.

This was decided at the state level task force meeting headed by Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee held here yesterday.

Temporary check posts in Jaintia Hills will be set up at Muktapur, Dawki, Hingkaria, Huroi, Leijri, Hatmawdon, Balat, Shella, Itchamati, Nongjri, Ranikor, Borsora, Maheshkhola Rongra, Baghmara, Sibbari, Gasuapara, Dimapara, Dalu, Purakhasia and Mahendraganj villages bordering the international border, the official said.

The state shares a 443 km long border with Bangladesh.

The task force also decided that there will be coordinated approach from various departments of the state - Forest, Veterinary, Health, Police, Agriculture and Public Health Engineering to tackle bird flu in case of any occurrence.

The district task force under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner will co-ordinate all the activities at district level and organise a special drive to create awareness about Bird Flu through traditional institutions and other means of communication in the international areas of the state.

UNI