The Hindu 16.06.2010
VMC moves to tackle pig menace
Staff Reporter
| To shoot down animals not moved out of residential areas |
VIJAYAWADA: The city could soon be rid of pigs that presently populate the outskirts. As the monsoon has already set in, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials feel that it is necessary to take up a drive to shoot down or send the pigs out of the city limits in view of public health.
Sources in the VMC say that a plan has been chalked out to shoot down the pigs that are living in the city limits. The VMC will serve notices shortly asking those rearing pigs to move the animals out of residential areas.
The corporation found that most of those rearing pigs were living in Yenamalakuduru, Bhavanipuram and Vidyadharapuram areas. The pigs that are not moved out will be shot down.
The VMC is going to request the city police to provide two shooters to help them with the task of eradicating pigs from the city. The VMC officials are hopeful of receiving a positive response from the police.
The corporation has ownership of two Double Barrel Bore Loading (DBBL) guns. The licences for these guns have been renewed in the name of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS). These guns were used for exterminating vermin of different kinds in the past. As the model code of conduct was in force in 2009, the corporation deposited these weapons with the city police. The DBBL guns were in police possession as their licences were not renewed till today. Now that the licences have been renewed, the VMC has been asked to take back the weapons.
The officials say that they are empowered to shoot down the pigs to safeguard public health and to make the city ‘pig-free’.
