Outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the bovine animals of Sonawari belt of Bandipora districts has caused distress among the farmers of the area, whereas the animal husbandry department is looking the other way.
Residents of many Sonawari villages which comprises of Hajin, Shahgund, Vijpora, Gundjehangir, Markundal, Baharabad, Madvan, Hakbara, Banyari, Sumbal, Asham, Naidkhai are much concerned over the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease. They appealed government for immediate action, as the disease is killing dozens of animals each passing day in the Sonawari area.
They said the diseases has broke out some two months ago and since then no official from the animal husbandry department has reached out to them.
People say the veterinary centres are under staffed and lack medicines for such kind of diseases.
People accused the animal husbandry department for not helping them out with medicine and treatment. They also say that department has failed to provide the required vaccination, as used to be provided previously for preventing the disease.
When contacted, the chief animal husbandry officer of Bandipora, Peerzada Mushtaq said the department has formulated special teams for tackling the problem and all the medicines and veterinarians would be made available.