Inquiry ordered into bird deaths in Assam village

GUWAHATI:

The Assam forest department has ordered a high-level inquiry to find out the cause of death of scores of birds at Bohori Silagaon in Barpeta district of lower Assam on Monday.

The birds are suspected to have died after consuming crops sprayed with poison in a paddy field in the village, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The chief minister has taken note of the incident and directed state environment and forest minister, Parimal Suklabaidya, to institute a high-level inquiry.

Subsequently, the forest minister asked the chief wildlife warden and the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) to conduct the probe and submit the action taken report immediately.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered by the Barpeta Road ranger and a suspect named Mannan Ali has been arrested in this connection.

The dead birds have been sent for autopsy. The forest department is awaiting results to ascertain the exact cause of death of the birds, which included sparrows and cuckoos. 

Investigation is on to arrest more culprits involved in the incident. 

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)

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