Dibrugarh DC Bikram Kairi
In a decisive move to contain the rapid spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), the district administrations of Dibrugarh and Jorhat have promulgated stringent prohibitory orders, effectively banning the trade, transport, and slaughter of pigs across both districts. The measures, announced on November 3 and 4, come in response to confirmed laboratory reports of a surge in the highly contagious viral disease among the local pig population.
Dibrugarh has adopted a targeted, zonal approach based on the Prevention & Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. Following the detection of ASF in fresh locations within the Chabua and Moran Revenue Circles, the district has been demarcated into ‘Infected Zones’ (a 1 km radius from the epicentre) and ‘Surveillance Zones’ (a 10 km radius).
In a detailed order, Monika Borah, Additional District Magistrate cum CEO of Dibrugarh, outlined severe restrictions. “No live Pig or Pig feed or Pork or Pork products shall be allowed to be taken out of or brought into the Zone,” the order mandates for infected areas.
It also empowers veterinary officers to order the euthanasia of infected pigs to prevent further spread and mandates the safe disposal of carcasses. The administration has instructed all police stations to maintain “strict vigilance against unauthorised roadside pork selling.”
Jorhat, acting under the BNSS of 2023, has imposed an immediate and blanket ban across the entire district. The order from District Magistrate Jay Shivani states, “Transportation of Live pig(s)/Pig product / pork meat is prohibited into and within the District of Jorhat.”
The order further completely prohibits the selling of live pigs, pork, and pork products, as well as any form of pig slaughter, buying, or selling within the district.
The directives in both districts also call for intensified surveillance on the domestic pig population near forest areas in collaboration with the Forest Department. The ban will remain in force until further orders to protect the livestock economy and prevent the further escalation of the disease.
