By IANS
Ranchi : The Jharkhand government Tuesday ordered the culling of chickens in nine districts bordering the bird flu hit state of West Bengal.
Officials said the animal husbandry department of the state has issued the order to the district administrations of Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Seraikela and Kharsawa, Pakur, Sahebganj, Jamtara, Dumka, Bokaro and Dhanbad.
The decision to cull the chickens was taken following a directive from the central government Friday to check the spread of bird flu.
“The district administration has been asked to identify the affected areas within three kilometres of the border with West Bengal and cull the chickens if needed. The poultry farmers will be given Rs.40 for each culled chicken,” an animal husbandry department official told IANS.
Nearly 200 chickens died in Angada block of Ranchi district about 15 days ago but officials are yet to confirm whether or not they fell prey to the avian influenza virus.
Jharkhand has already banned the import of poultry products from West Bengal.
On Monday, Ranchi police seized a truck laden with chickens from the neighbouring state. Around 1,200 chickens brought from West Bengal were also seized from the godown of a wholesaler in the state capital.