West Bengal: Politics trumps culling
Via ExpressIndia.com: Culling operation to continue for two more days in flu-affected blocks. Excerpt:
The culling operations in bird flu-affected Darjeeling and Siliguri districts have taken a backseat due to the panchayat elections and non-cooperation from a section of villagers.
The operations which were started on May 10 could not be completed even today. The authorities, however, today decided that the culling in two blocks of Siliguri and one block in Kurseong in Darjeeling district will continue for another two days.
“Villagers are still not cooperating. Besides, we do not have adequate number of staff. I have asked the district magistrate to hold an all-party meeting and initiate awareness campaigns against avian flu,” said Animal Resource Development Minister Anisur Rahman.
According to Darjeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey, “A total of 20,298 birds were culled since May 10.” He added that a few thousand were yet to be killed as some villagers are not willing to cooperate.
