WBs bird flu handling ''irresponsible and callous'': BJP

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) Squarely blaming the West Bengal government for the alleged ''irresponsible and callous'' handling of the bird flu, the BJP today said the Left Front government should be held responsible for the spread of the epidemic beyond the state's borders.

BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said ''lack of adequate and proper response'' on the part of the West Bengal government to the Centre at the time when the bird flu case was first reported in Malda and Murshidabad, had resulted in the spread of the disease in other districts of the state beyond its territory. ''It has caused anxiety in the minds of the people across the country,'' he added.

He said the Centre should intervene immediately as the country's image was ''under cloud'' following a ban on the import of poultry products by southern neighbouring country Sri Lanka from India.

The common people especially poor people were affected by the spread of the disease, Mr Prasad said.

UNI MCN/KAS HS AS1713