SIRAJGANJ: Red alert to check anthrax looks left in the red!

All the three assigned surgeons were found absent from the anthrax-checking check-post on the western side of Bangabandhu Bridge while a peon was giving the proxy.

This allows hundreds of cattle to cross the check-point without a proper check every day, alleged local people.

The check-post under Sirajganj district Livestock Department is assigned to the national task of screening all the cattle taken to Gabtoli market in Dhaka from all northern catchments.

An evident reluctant approach of the department might cause spread of the endemic cattle-borne disease to newer areas, and even in the capital, locals feared.

In front of the check-post, a red-cloth banner reads: `Check-post for detecting anthrax of cattle’ organised by Police Super and District Livestock Department

No police was found at the post, set up after the government declared red alert for the authorities to deal with the exigencies.

Rezaul Karim Belal, a peon of the livestock department, was found checking temperatures of the cattle with a thermometer. And hundreds of cattle-heads cross the red mark with the go from Belal.   

Cattle traders said they were easily getting approval from Belal in exchange for a lump sum.

District livestock department sources said veterinary surgeon Dr. Md. Habibul Islam, Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid and Dr. Md. Nurul Islam Talukder are responsible for running the check-post.

But none of them was found at their station since morning till evening Monday. Peon Belal came at around 2pm, and prior to his arrival, at least 25 truckloads of cattle had crossed the red gate.

Belal told banglanews that his shift begins at 2:00 pm and when he arrived he did not find anyone of his previous shift.

“Mother of the Surgeon Sir of this shift is sick and for that he is absent. Maybe, he will come by evening,” Belal said.

It is around 5:45 pm, by the time. And Md. Shafiqul Islam, District Livestock Officer, and Md. Abdul Mannan, Upazilla Livestock Officer, turned up to the check-spot for the spot checks.   When asked, Shafiqul Islam told banglanews that everyday three surgeons are to work at the post in three eight-hour shifts. Three compounders are to assist them.   “However, their absence is alarming and it will be probed,” said Shafiq.   Written complaint against the absent surgeons and compounders would be submitted, he added.   There are no sheds and sitting arrangements in the check-post. So it is impossible to work here for the whole day standing in the sun and rain, said Shafiq.  Surgeon Habibul and Nurul Islam could not be contacted.  Surgeon Harun arrived at the spot in the evening. He said, “I was engaged in some personal business, but I maintained regular communication with Belal.”   Md. Ibrahim Hossain, Director of Rajshahi divisional livestock department, told banglanews over mobile phone that he was informed about the irresponsibility of the veterinary doctors.  “These surgeons are posted by Dhaka office and we have already informed the highest authority about the matter,” said Ibrahim.  

BDST 1738 HRS, SEP 07, 2010