Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR Dec 11: Authorities in Kashmir have intensified screening at the Qazigund Livestock Check-Post after a viral video surfaced three days ago showing dead poultry inside a truck, even as officials say nearly 3.5 crore poultry birds have entered the Valley so far this year.
Qazigund, the first livestock inspection point on the Valley side of NH-44, is now examining every poultry and bovine consignment. Officials say doctors and para-vets are conducting detailed physical checks for any signs of disease, symptoms or abnormal mortality. “Our doctors and para-vets conduct detailed physical inspections for any symptoms, disease, or mortality. Only after everything is verified do we allow a vehicle to move ahead,” Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Dar, Livestock Officer (Liver Flu Control) Kashmir, said.
Daily records show that 50-60 livestock vehicles enter the Valley through Qazigund. Since April, officials have cleared around 1.8 crore broilers, 1.1 crore day-old chicks, and 4 lakh culled birds. Under government schemes such as the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, nearly 13,000 bovine animals have also been allowed entry this year.
Responding to the viral video, Dar said the deaths occurred due to delays, not disease. “The consignment was refused by dealers in Pulwama and Srinagar, which prolonged the travel time. The birds suffered starvation, dehydration, cold stress, and transport fatigue,” he said. A post-mortem at the checkpost found no signs of infection, he added.
He urged the public not to panic, saying every batch entering through Qazigund is thoroughly examined and no diseased poultry has been permitted into the Valley. All poultry mortality is currently disposed of through the deep-burial method, while a newly installed incinerator is expected to become operational within two months once electricity is connected. “The Qazigund facility operates round the clock and is staffed by veterinary surgeons and technical teams,” he said.
Dr Tasneef, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and in charge of the check-post, said post-mortems are conducted only when officials suspect a disease outbreak or unusual mortality.
“In the recent case, we found no evidence of disease. The dead birds were disposed of scientifically,” he said. “No vehicle is allowed to proceed without clearance. The hygiene and safety remain our top priority,” he added.
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