Even as criticism is mounting from several quarters about the inadequate steps to contain the spread of swine flu, the Local Administration Department on Friday launched an intensive drive to catch stray pigs roaming in the city.
The drive follows the passing of the deadline set for pig rearers to shift them out of the city.
According to R. Chandirasekaran, Commissioner of Puducherry municipality, over 48 pigs were caught in Velrampet, Murungapakkam and Ariyankuppam areas.
Around 18 workers engaged by a private contractor armed with nets went around Velrampet, T.N. Palayam and Murungapakkam and caught the pigs.
The drive was carried out with the help of police. The captured pigs were loaded onto trucks and relocated to a place outside the city, he said.
It has been found that pig rearers hailing from Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu let loose the animals in areas covered with bushes and near water bodies. A rise in the number of pigs in these areas was posing a serious health hazard.
The move came after several complaints from residents and direction from the Local Administration Department to clear areas from pig menace. The drive would continue, Dr. Kumaran, veterinary surgeon of Puducherry municipality said.
The Oulgaret municipality has also warned people not to rear pigs in the city. The municipal administration will remove the pigs and slap fine on owners.
Further, legal action will be initiated under sections 338 and 339 of Puducherry Municipalities Act, 1973, a release said.
Meanwhile, addressing reporters here on Friday, the Deputy Leader of AIADMK Legislature Party, A. Anbalagan said while many States has put in place preventive measures in response to a Central swine flu advisory, the Union Territory Government was lagging behind.
He accused the Government of being “too lethargic” in this regard.
He also alleged that there is no sufficient stock of medicines available in the Government Hospitals and special wards have not been created to treat swine flu patients.
The AIADMK leader urged the government to take immediate remedial measures and create special wards besides deployment of doctors round the clock.
Meanwhile, the activists of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) laid a siege to the District Collector office demanding action against the persons who is rearing pigs at Ariyankuppam illegally.
They alleged that some people have been rearing pigs in commercial areas. By dumping heap of meat and food waste in that area, they have been creating health hazards.
Logu. Ayyappan of DVK said even after we complained to district administration, there was no immediate action.
“Pigs are freely roaming in the areas near city. There was no awareness campaign when Swine flu is spreading faster already. The authorities have not taken any care and precautionary measure to tackle Swine flu.”
