Poultry birds test positive for bird flu infection in Maharashtra's Udgir; authorities in tizzy
Latur, Jan 28 (PTI): Some poultry birds in Ramnagar area of Udgir town in Maharashtra's Latur district on Tuesday tested positive for bird flu infection, prompting the authorities to begin the culling process and undertake other safety measures, an official said.
These domestically-reared poultry birds tested positive days after more than 60 crows died of bird flu infection in parts of Udgir town.
"Samples of these poultry birds had been sent for testing on January 24. The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal today afternoon confirmed that these birds were infected with bird flu infection," district deputy commissioner of animal husbandry department Dr Shridhar Shinde said.
"Following this, the district administration has implemented preventive measures to curb the spread of the infection. Around 200 poultry birds and other native birds within one kilometre radius are being scientifically culled and eggs, feed and any bird-related remnants are being destroyed. In addition, a 10-kilometre radius has been declared as an alert zone," he said, adding that the affected area was undergoing disinfection.
Guardian minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale has been apprised of the situation by the district collector, and the administration has expedited necessary actions, he added.
Multiple departments and agencies, including animal husbandry, revenue, forest, water resources, public works, land records, transport, municipal corporation and police are working together in this effort, officials said.
Citizens residing in the 10-km zone are urged to strictly adhere to the administration's guidelines. Disinfection operations are ongoing, and medical samples of poultry birds from this area are being sent for laboratory testing, they said.
The district administration said verified information regarding the bird flu outbreak will be released regularly, they said.
"If citizens come across sick birds or unusual bird deaths, they are urged to immediately report about it to the toll-free helpline 1962 or contact the nearest veterinary clinic," the district administration said.
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Crowd management efforts ramped up at Maha Kumbh after stampede
Mahakumbh Nagar (PTI): A day after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh left 30 dead, the Uttar Pradesh government ramped up efforts to ensure crowd management and safety of devotees who continued to flock here in large numbers for the religious gathering.
The devotees braved the pre-dawn chill and dense fog to take a dip in the Sangam and at other ghats here on Thursday.
More than 55.11 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip till 8:00 am, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Anshuman Mishra told PTI that the area would remain a no-vehicle zone until the crowd disperses completely.
"Vehicle passes will not be valid until all devotees have safely left for their destinations. No outside vehicles would be allowed to enter the city until the crowd exits the Mela area," he said.
However, senior officials may grant permission for vehicle entry based on the situation, he said.
Mishra clarified that essential services such as police administration vehicles, ambulances and suction machines would be allowed entry as they are crucial for the smooth management of the Maha Kumbh.
Pilgrims, including women and children, were seen walking to and fro the various ghats amid reduced visibility. Many had thin blankets covering their bodies while some stopped by bonfires along the routes to keep themselves warm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar are scheduled to reach here later in the day for a detailed probe into the stampede.
The top officers would also conduct a thorough review of the arrangements in the Mela area, Chief Minister Adityanath said on Wednesday night.
"Every aspect related to security and public convenience must be carefully examined to ensure seamless arrangements for Basant Panchami (Feb 3 - Amrit Snan)," he said.
In a bid to further strengthen the arrangements, the Uttar Pradesh government will also be deploying two former senior officers on Mela duty -- Ashish Goyal, who served as divisional commissioner of Prayagraj for the 2019 Kumbh, and Bhanu Goswami, former vice chairman of the Agra Development Authority.
Additionally, five special secretary-level officers are being assigned to oversee operations. All of them will remain in Prayagraj till February 12 to assist in streamlining the arrangements, Adityanath said.
Besides 30 deaths, 60 people were injured in the pre-dawn stampede on Wednesday in the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.
Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna said the incident took place due to crowd pressure. The crowd broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there, he said.
On Wednesday, more than 7.64 crore devotees had a 'snan' at the Maha Kumbh, the highest in a single day so far. The footfall since the beginning of the mega event had crossed 27.58 crore by the end of Wednesday, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13 and will continue till February 26.
