Laishram Ranbir
The injured pony, which Dr Saodonkhum Joute, Director of State Veterinary and Animals Husbandry Department, Govt. of Manipur had assured to provide medical facilities on March 8, was again seen wandering helplessly in the street of Imphal once more.
The Director assured to Imphal Times representatives to provide all possible treatment to the ailing pony after the matter was put to his attention by submitting an application to help the endangered species at which the state government had announced various packages for its protection.
The Director however told to the representatives of Imphal Times that it will keep the animals in their custody but if the owner did not turn up they will have no other choice but to let go the animal.
That was what the department had done. The following day that is yesterday, the pony was again seen wandering at the road stretch in front of the Veterinary hospital.
The question right in front of us is whether the pony will be left to wander with its injured leg in the streets of Imphal as no owner turn up to take care of it?
“Leaving the animals in such a pathetic condition is nothing but an insult to the animals which the government is proud to announce many packages for its protection. It also disturbs the traffic”, said Dineshchandra a local of Wangkhei.
Moreover the IMC which was once given the assignment for pulling up of these stray animals are turning blind to the number of uncared pony wandering around the city, a shopkeeper at Pureiromba Khongnangkhong said.
State Veterinary department sent away the pony without providing any treatment and the Pony lovers and Polo enthusiast in the state are taking no notice of the animals as it is of no use to them.
It is a shame for Mr. Okram Ibobi government to make the tourists witness an uncared ailing pony in the street of Imphal which is known to the world as the birth place of Polo.
