46 cattle, 6 goats die after vaccination in Odisha !

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rourkela, Mar 10:

Farmers belonging to the Paudi Bhuyan tribe of three villages in Odisha’s Sundargarh district have demanded a probe into the death of 46 cattle and six goats who died after they were vaccinated by a livestock inspector (LI).

The tribals have alleged that a livestock inspector, Manoj Kumar Patra of a veterinary sub centre at Khuntagan village of Lahunipada block, had toured Tantabahala, Kilinda and Badanuagan villages under Talibahal panchayat on March 3 and informed the villagers that the government had ordered vaccination of the cattle in their villages as there had been reports of their mass death in the area.

As per the advice of the vet inspector, the villagers got their cattle and goats vaccinated after paying Rs 5 as user fee to him.

But to their utter shock, they found that the cattle and goats had their legs swollen and could not move barely two days after vaccination. They could not eat and died one after other.

“We had not called any veterinary doctor as our cattle and goats were in good health. But they died after they were vaccinated by the livestock inspector,” said Mangala Mundari, panchayat member of Tantabahala.

He said at a meeting in the village on Monday, the farmers had decided to submit a memorandum to the district administration demanding investigation into the officials under which the vaccines were administered, the company which had provided the vaccines and seizure of the vaccines.

“Though we have tried to contact the livestock inspector on his mobile number (7750891643) about the matter, he has not responded till date. We demand adequate compensation towards the loss of our cattle and goats,” the aggrieved farmers told OST.

They also informed that the posters stuck on the walls of all houses in the village have the name of the Animal Welfare Centre which has assured the villagers of providing them with artificial insemination within reach under the JK Trust Gram Vikash Yojana.

“But the poster has no phone number of any official for contact,” they added.

When asked about the incident, chief district veterinary officer (CDVO) Ahindra Kumar Biswal said he has no knowledge about this.

He, however, said he would order a probe into the incident and take necessary steps based on the probe report.