Illegal pig haul stopped on train in Assam; officials suspended, farmers protest

A joint operation by Assam Police and the state's Veterinary Department intercepted an illegal consignment of pigs, triggering protests and disciplinary action against government officials.

 

The pigs, transported via the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express, were allegedly brought from outside Assam, violating a state-wide ban aimed at preventing the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).

 

Authorities took action at Srirampur Railway Station, near the Assam–West Bengal border, after receiving intelligence about the illegal transport. A coach carrying 104 pigs was detached from the train, delaying its schedule by nearly an hour. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to enforce the Assam Government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which prohibits the interstate movement of pigs due to ASF risks.

 

The crackdown sparked immediate reaction. Members of the Assam Pig Farmers’ Association staged a rail blockade protest at Kokrajhar Railway Station around midnight, accusing authorities of failing to enforce the ban effectively. One protester was detained and later released. Demonstrators warned that continued violations could devastate the local pig farming economy and livestock health.

 

Security was tightened across several stations, with the Railway Protection Force deployed in anticipation of unrest. The incident drew attention to what farmers claim is a growing network of illegal livestock traders operating across state lines.

 

In the aftermath, two veterinary officials were suspended for their roles in clearing the livestock at the Srirampur Check Gate. Dr Tarani Kanta Kalita, Sub-Divisional Officer (Gosaigaon), and Dr Gautam Majumdar, Veterinary Officer at Srirampur, are now under investigation for failing to enforce the SOP.

 

Representatives from the farmers’ association reiterated their demand for stricter enforcement and legal action. “Illegal pig transportation from states like Uttar Pradesh and Kerala continues despite the government’s SOP. African Swine Fever has already damaged our local productivity, and such violations pose a huge risk. We demand strict legal action against those violating these protocols,” said one member.

 

The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has pledged closer monitoring and more accountability in livestock transport procedures, as the state continues its efforts to contain ASF outbreaks.