Bissamkatak: A carcass of a pig was found on the campus of the UGME School here in Rayagada district Tuesday, triggering resentment among villagers who feared that it would lead to an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in the area.
Villagers said government officials are not heeding the collector’s order of shifting pigs away from human habitations. While the dreaded Japanese encephalitis has assumed endemic proportion in neighbouring Malkangiri district, officials here are indifferent to the menace, locals added.
Students belonging to Classes I to VII study in the school and the carcass of a pig can adversely affect their health, many guardians feared.
It is alleged that many people, violating the order of the administration, continue to rear pigs even as it poses a threat to children’s lives. Members of Nagarika Manch and Bissam Katak Vikash Parishad, two forums working for the welfare of citizens, warned to shut the block office and other government offices if measures are not taken in the next 10 days for shifting of pigs from the town.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that more than 65 children have already succumbed to the deadly viral disease in Malkangiri. The disease is also thought to have spread its tentacles to neighbouring Nabarangpur, Koraput and Rayagada districts. Rayagada collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar held a meeting October 14 and asked officials to ensure pigs are shifted from human settlements. Besides, she also asked to intensify awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the disease.
However, the officials allegedly fail to inform people and mediapersons before holding preparedness meetings. In the absence of proper awareness among people, villagers become vulnerable to the disease, locals said. According to sources, people of Sanaharijan Sahi, Medri Sahi and Badaharijan Sahi generally rear pigs. However, they are yet to shift the animals from the village, it was learnt. PNN
