Veterinary Director says no pig dead, insults reporters

When there are reports of unknown diseases being spread among the pigs reared by the pig farmers in various parts of the state, Director of the Department of Veterinary & A.H. Services, Government of Manipur, Ng. Ibotombi denied the fact that many pigs are dying due to the unknown disease and instead of assuring to investigate the matter the Director insulted media persons who had gone to enquire about the situation.
“We have no reports of pigs dying in masses and the department has no report of any pigs dying”, Ng. Ibotombi told a group of media persons at his office at Sangjenthong, Imphal East. The director also insulted the group of media persons stating that he only talks with only few media houses. He said that he didn’t want to communicate with the reporters who visited him but would rather talk with only a few reporters from big media houses.
The group of media persons including Imphal Times reporters went to enquire about the matter following a press meet organised by the Manipur Progressive Pig Farmers’ Association (MAPPFA) at Manipur Press Club. During the press meet Joint Secretary of MAPPFA Laishangbam Bidyasagar said that the state Veterinary department has not taken up any measures to find out the cause of the deaths of pigs in various parts of the state. He said that when requested to investigate the cause of the death of the pigs, the department authority turned a deaf ear.
A pig farmer identified as Nandalal at Lamlai brought one of his pigs to Sanjenthong at his own cost for post-mortem today morning. When reporters visited the office some staff of the Veterinary were seen examining the dead pig. Around 90% of the reared pigs have been affected by the unknown disease.
Mention may be made that the price of pork has decreased unexpectedly following the mass death due to the unconfirmed deceased.