The BJP Krushak Morcha on Monday alleged that many cows have died after being administered with poisonous injections for theileria disease at different places in the State.
“The State Government has issued an order to use injections in cattle for theileria cure. These injections were out of dates. Going by reports, we conducted an on-the-spot visit to some affected villages and found that cows died due to administration of poisonous injections,” said Morcha national vice-president Maheswar Sahoo.
He said the team led by him visited one Trinath Behera’s house in Bhimapur village under Jayadev Assembly constituency and enquired about the death of a milch cow.
The local livestock Inspector (lI) told Trinath that his cow had theileria and administered an injection to the cow taking `53 from him. But the cow died the next day.
Then the team went to nearby Jaipur village and found that a pregnant cow belonging to Purna Barik died after being administered with a poisonous injection.
The Morcha demanded that a case be registered against Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Animal Resources Development Minister Damodar Rout under the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act and he be arrested soon.
“We will take to the streets if our demands are not met,” said Sahoo.
BJP State vice president Sameer Mohanty demanded that a probe be conducted into the allegation and the use of poisonous injections be stopped forthwith.
If the reports are found true, the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Animal Resources Minister Damodar Rout should be asked to resign, said Mohanty.
He too demanded that the Government publish a list mentioning how many injections have been administered so far and the side effects of the injections.