SHILLONG, July 6: The Meghalaya Poultry Farmers and Welfare Association (MPF&WA) on Sunday announced its decision to monitor the entry of poultry at various checkpoints across the state, citing repeated violations of established protocols concerning poultry imports from Assam.
Beginning Monday evening, the association will carry out inspections at key entry points, including Umkiang, Barato, Khanduli, and Saphai in West and East Jaintia Hills, as well as Byrnihat, Ranigodown, and Mawlasnai in Ri-Bhoi district.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, MPF&WA president Daminot Sylliang said the association would soon meet with the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of Ri-Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills to seek their cooperation and official permission for the inspections.
He noted that the association had received support from district authorities during similar drives in the past. “Even if we do not get support this time, we will still go ahead with the inspections at the state’s entry points,” Sylliang asserted.
He further revealed that during earlier checks, the association had detected several fake documents and certificates used to smuggle poultry into the state.
Sylliang also stressed that the MPF&WA would no longer accept health certificates that are merely countersigned by Meghalaya’s Veterinary Department for poultry certified only by Assam-based veterinary officers, noting that current checks rely solely on physical observation without proper testing.
He pointed out the lack of quarantine facilities at the interstate borders to effectively screen incoming poultry.
While a quarantine center is under construction at Umling in Ri Bhoi, no such facility exists at the entry points in West and East Jaintia Hills. “We urge the state government to establish quarantine centers at all major entry points,” he said.
Additionally, Sylliang clarified that a veterinary officer at the Byrnihat Veterinary Dispensary, who had countersigned certificates issued by Assam’s Block Veterinary Officer without adequate disease testing, was acting on instructions from higher authorities.
“I am willing to apologise to the concerned officer, as we have confirmed he was merely following directives. However, we are still trying to determine whether the order came from the Secretariat or Directorate level,” he added.
Earlier, the MPF&WA had demanded a total ban on poultry imports from Assam in view of repeated breaches of entry protocols.
The association also met with Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Secretary S.C. Sadhu to seek his immediate intervention regarding the violations of protocol on poultry entry from Assam.
According to the association, the Veterinary Officer’s actions constitute a breach of protocol as outlined under the Livestock Transportation Rules, 1978.
