Nagaland: Dimapur police warn of pig smuggling amid ban on import

Kohima: With the Nagaland government imposing a ban on the import of pigs in view of the outbreak of ‘African Swine Fever’ in the neighbouring states, the Dimapur police have warned against smuggling of pigs into the state.

On Friday, the Dimapur Police apprehended four persons on criminal charges of smuggling pigs from Balijan, Assam. A total of 12 pigs were seized along with a Tata Pick-up truck, out of which nine pigs were found dead.

It informed that a case has been registered in Diphupar Police Station under relevant section of IPC, The Epidemic Act, 1897 and Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. The seized livestock were handed over to District Veterinary Department for further expert examination.

The Dimapur police, through an official update on Saturday informed that the arrested persons were identified as: Bipul Mech (22) s/o Ramesh Mech,Village – Kushiabil PO/PS – East PS Dimapur, P/Address Kushiabil Dimapur; Arun Boro (23) s/o Khrishna Boro, Village – Magurmurry Rajapathar, PO/PS – Bokalia, Karbi Anglong, Assam, P/Address Kushiabil Dimapur; Lipoksunep Ozukum (25), s/o Kartemjen Ozukum, Village – Waromong Mokokchung, P/Address – 4^th Mile ‘L’ Khel Dimapur; and Sashi Ozukum (33), s/o Takamar Ozukum, Village – Waromong Mokokchung, P/Address – Duncan ‘L’ Khel Dimapur.

Further reiterating the State Government’s order on ban on import of pig from neighbouring states in view of the outbreak of African Swine Flu, the Dimapur police warned that any violation of the order will amount to criminal offence for which necessary legal action will be pursued against the defaulter.

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Adviser to Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and women resource development, R Khing took to twitter on Friday to inform that out of the 12 Pigs reportedly smuggled from Balijan, Assam, eight were dead and four were placed under quarantine. He had said that the serums samples will be collected from live pigs for confirmatory diagnosis.

“All SOPs were followed to dispose off the dead pigs. I appeal to the public to be vigil and refrain from buying pigs from unknown source during ban on import of pigs from outside the state,” Khing added.