WANNA, SOUTHERN WAZIRISTAN: (Roshan Khan) Hundreds of animals are killed in Lower South Waziristan where a deadly animal disease is spreading into the air in various tehsils, local sources said. Barmal, Shakai, Tuye Khula, Zarmalan and Tiyareza are the most affected.
People and social activists showed great concern and laid the blame on carelessness, corruption, and absence of supervision over the veterinary personnel in blame of the growing crisis. People indicate that in the whole district, FMD has struck, and the authorities are not doing very much.
Residents have complained that the veterinary hospitals are not making timely checks up of animals or administering medicines when required. There are claims of some officials mistreating livestock owners, abusive language, and selling the medicines supplied by the government at high prices.
Government veterinary system is reported to be taking advantage of poor farmers charging butchers feud without collecting stamp fees and refusing them vaccines, injections and medications without charge, which is against the law and moral sense. Rigorous and loyal employees have been reportedly replaced by politically inclined ones, which is one of the roots of alleged corruption.
The local communities are pushing the higher authorities to create a clear investigation into the laxity and corruption within the veterinary department, oust those in charge, and offer prompt recompense to those that have lost their farm animals. Activists threaten to make residents hold protests because of inactivity.
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