Imphal, August 09: Taking serious note of reports of poultry farmers/owners concealing live birds and not abiding by the instructions of RRTs for mopping up, the Chief Secretary has stated that the District Magistrates concerned may invoke the provisions under section 143 and 144 CrPC and proper instructions be given to the District Police to take up necessary action under relevant laws so that the infected zone becomes free from any live domesticated bird.

Issuing an office memorandum in this regard, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh said after the July 25 Government notification on existence of Avian Influenza in the State, necessary instructions were issued under UO No.I/CS-2007/MISC dated 25/7/07 and 27/7/07 respectively.

The Deputy Commissioners of Imphal East and Imphal West Districts were also given the responsibility for implementation and containment procedure.

Moreover, the District Magistrates have been instructed to find out the provisions to penalise persons who may conceal the poultry birds.

Subsequently the control and containment operations of Avian Influenza started on July 26 and has reached the closing stages of Phase-II of mopping up, cleaning and disinfection of the affected zone within 5 kms radius from Chingmeirong from where the first report of outbreak of the disease came in.

The issue of sanitisation certificate by the State Government requires complete mopping of poultry birds, products and feeds in the infected zones.

However, it is reported that a few poultry owners are concealing the live birds and do no abide by the instructions of RRTs for mopping up and even attempt to obstruct the duties of the RRT personnel.

In this regard, the District Magistrates may invoke the provisions under Section 143 and 144 CrPC and proper instructions be given to the District Police to take necessary actions un-der Section 188 of IPC and other relevant laws so that the infected zone becomes free from any live bird.