SHILLONG, Sep 5: A driver, hired to supply piglets to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, had dumped the carcasses of the nine piglets at a drain in Mawdiangdiang, New Shillong Township, a preliminary inquiry has revealed.
The dead piglets were first noticed by passers-by on Saturday morning. Subsequently, the Mawkasiang Dorbar Shnong was informed as the area falls under its jurisdiction.
A senior official of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department told The Shillong Times on Monday that the driver of the local supplier was responsible for the incident.
He said the department was not aware of his act as he had replaced the dead piglets. He said the supplier also admitted the driver was the culprit.
“We have verified that these are not the ones distributed to the beneficiaries of the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme of the National Livestock Mission at a programme held at Tynring last week,” the official said.
He said the department will constitute a detailed inquiry into the matter.
“We want to ensure that such lapses are not repeated. We have taken a serious note of this incident,” the official said.
To a query, he said it will not be possible to collect the samples since the carcasses have been already buried by the Dorbar Shnong.
There are no reports that any of the piglets distributed to the beneficiaries suffered from any disease, the official said, adding, the cause of death of the nine piglets could be stress as they were transported from outside the state.
Stating that the department does not have space to isolate such a large number of piglets, the official said they are asking the supplier to hand over the stock of the piglets a day before the distribution programme.
Asked if any action will be taken against the supplier, he said no decision was taken so far since the matter needs to be probed further. He said the department has apologised to the Dorbar Shnong.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had on Saturday said the government will probe the matter, emphasizing it is important to learn why the piglets died.
“We have done ear-tagging of the animals. We also have a control room monitoring them. We will find out even if they want to sell them. We will also know if they are dead,” he had said.
The Deputy CM stated the piglets being distributed were of Hampshire breed brought from West Bengal.
Stating that there are standard operating procedures to be followed, he had said the piglets were isolated and also being vaccinated. The nine piglets were buried at a private land on Saturday.
Rangbah Shnong of Mawkasiang Tishalding Kharkongor had on Sunday said they had to bury the carcasses because of the foul smell.
“It is really sad that the dead piglets were dumped in this manner. It could have been hazardous if they had any disease,” Kharkongor said, adding the piglets had identification marks on their ears.
