From Alex Guite
LAMKA, January 10: Following the district authorities order for regular vaccination of dogs in Churachandpur following deaths due to dog-bites which are suspected to be cases of rabies infection and the subsequent drives conducted by the YPA to enforce the order, dog owners of New Lamka and its adjoining areas are allegedly taking their pets to neighbouring Moirang and other places outside of the district and selling them off.
The dog owners are choosing places which do not come under the purview of the district administration`™s order, sources informed.
Following IFP`™s recent coverage of the dog-bite menace in Churachandpur feared to be a bout of rabies infection by this correspondent, several well-wishers had called informing of the alleged practice.
Sources said the dogs are meant for consumption.
It is also learnt that dog owners of New Lamka are transporting their dogs to other localities where the drive is minimal which is a direct compromise of the district administration`™s order and the effort of the YPA and other organisations to contain the menace.
At the same time many are of the opinion that the DC`™s order was just a routine order.
A concerned local of Hiantam Lamka said she has failed to see any change or effective mechanism in the area to enforce the order.
At the same time if someone gets bitten by a dog they will not call the police but will try to get immediate medical attention, she added before questioning even if the police are called will they arrest the dog or its owners?
Another local of New Lamka who identified himself as Jampu said why should the DC`™s order include all domesticated animals when the problem has risen only due to the dogs?
Meanwhile, chief of Lamka Thangkhosuanmung Guite told this correspondent that he and his villagers will not tolerate any effort to bring in dogs from New Lamka and other areas which had reported the most incidents of dog-bites.