Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar on Wednesday assured that there is no need to panic with regard to the mysterious killings of domestic livestock by unknown predators.
Reports of mysterious killings of domestic livestock by unknown predator in Manipur at night created fear psychosis since the last few days.
After the report of killing chickens, goat and pigs in Churachandpur district headquarters since last month, around 40 ducks was reportedly killed at Kitana Panung in Imphal East district on Monday followed by similar killing of domestic ducks at Malom area in Imphal West district on Tuesday.
The mysterious killing of domestic livestock was detected when the respective owners, reports said.
The assurance of the minister was conveyed to media persons at his New Secretariat office here. He said that the killings of domestic livestock were reported from the districts of Churachandpur, Imphal East and Kakching. Stating that the forest department is taking the matter seriously, he said the department along with the officials of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department and Wildlife experts conducted a meeting over the incident this morning.
Informing that experts have already taken footprints of the suspected predator, he said that the footprints are being studied with animal experts. Preliminary report suggests the predator may be a canine animal, though the final report will be tabled soon.
Stating that previously there has been no report of such incidents, he said as a preventive measure the forest department has formed a team to catch the predator at the earliest.
The incident of severely mutilated animal body parts found at different localities of Churachandpur District was first reported last month. Recently similar incidents were also reported from Imphal East and Kakching.
Source: EasternMirrorNagaland