On alert: Illegal cattle market stokes fear of Congo virus
Market has been given on contract to cattle traders by railway authorities
Market has been given on contract to cattle traders by railway authorities. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Residents of Peshawar have voiced reservation over the illegal establishment of a cattle market ahead of Eidul Azha in Gulberg within the jurisdiction of Town-III alongside the railway track. Many of them believe it may pose a severe threat to the spread of Congo virus.
Cattle traders have set up illegal cattle market that has irked the residents living in the vicinity even though designated cattle markets have been established across the city. The residents said the sacrificial animals may pose threat to the spread of Congo virus.
The livestock and dairy development department has initiated preventive campaign against the possible spread of Congo virus. A series of measures have been taken in the markets designated by the district administration.
The department has set up camps in various localities of Peshawar, including Kala Mandi, Naguman, Larama, Palosai, two on Ring Road and one at a veterinary hospital in the city to check animals for the disease. The camps are also providing services to workers affiliated with livestock businesses.
According to Mohammad Rehman, who lives near the market, the animals were fumigated in designated cattle markets and it is not possible to check animals for Congo virus in illegal markets such as the one established in Gulberg.
He said various animals including cows, sheep, goats and bulls have been brought to the market where customers are touching the animals without taking any preventive measures.
He urged the relevant authorities to immediately shift the animals and traders to the designated places so that the animals can be properly checked for Congo virus.
He added illegal markets are spreading a foul odour in the area while the newly-constructed green belt has been converted into a dumping site by cattle traders.
The market has been set up just opposite to the house of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf provincial lawmaker Arif Yousaf.
When contacted by The Express Tribune, Yousaf said he had asked the police to arrest the traders and stop them from bringing animals to illegal market. However action has yet to be taken.
The PTI lawmaker said he had opposed the establishment of the illegal market and has also contacted railway authorities to stop traders using railway track and the green belt constructed for the commuters.
“I have written a letter to police [yesterday] and railway [department] in this regard and hopefully the market will be shifted immediately.”
He also voiced his concern about spread of Congo virus from the cattle market.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, district member from Town-III Mohammad Saeed Zahir said the market has been given on contract by railway authorities and railway land is not within the jurisdiction of town administration. He maintained the contract should be cancelled and proper measures should be taken to combat Congo virus.
Meanwhile, railway officials could not be reached to comment on the matter despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2016.
Residents of Peshawar have voiced reservation over the illegal establishment of a cattle market ahead of Eidul Azha in Gulberg within the jurisdiction of Town-III alongside the railway track. Many of them believe it may pose a severe threat to the spread of Congo virus.
Cattle traders have set up illegal cattle market that has irked the residents living in the vicinity even though designated cattle markets have been established across the city. The residents said the sacrificial animals may pose threat to the spread of Congo virus.
The livestock and dairy development department has initiated preventive campaign against the possible spread of Congo virus. A series of measures have been taken in the markets designated by the district administration.
The department has set up camps in various localities of Peshawar, including Kala Mandi, Naguman, Larama, Palosai, two on Ring Road and one at a veterinary hospital in the city to check animals for the disease. The camps are also providing services to workers affiliated with livestock businesses.
According to Mohammad Rehman, who lives near the market, the animals were fumigated in designated cattle markets and it is not possible to check animals for Congo virus in illegal markets such as the one established in Gulberg.
He said various animals including cows, sheep, goats and bulls have been brought to the market where customers are touching the animals without taking any preventive measures.
He urged the relevant authorities to immediately shift the animals and traders to the designated places so that the animals can be properly checked for Congo virus.
He added illegal markets are spreading a foul odour in the area while the newly-constructed green belt has been converted into a dumping site by cattle traders.
The market has been set up just opposite to the house of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf provincial lawmaker Arif Yousaf.
When contacted by The Express Tribune, Yousaf said he had asked the police to arrest the traders and stop them from bringing animals to illegal market. However action has yet to be taken.
The PTI lawmaker said he had opposed the establishment of the illegal market and has also contacted railway authorities to stop traders using railway track and the green belt constructed for the commuters.
“I have written a letter to police [yesterday] and railway [department] in this regard and hopefully the market will be shifted immediately.”
He also voiced his concern about spread of Congo virus from the cattle market.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, district member from Town-III Mohammad Saeed Zahir said the market has been given on contract by railway authorities and railway land is not within the jurisdiction of town administration. He maintained the contract should be cancelled and proper measures should be taken to combat Congo virus.
Meanwhile, railway officials could not be reached to comment on the matter despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2016.