Pigs to be culled at Assam–Bengal border if African Swine Fever detected: Minister Krishnendu Paul

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has raised concern over the rising spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) across Assam, with seven districts reporting fresh outbreaks in recent weeks. Authorities have imposed strict restrictions on the sale, consumption, and transportation of pigs in the affected districts to contain further spread.

Assam minister Krishnendu Paul while addressing a press conference today, November 23 said that pigs transported from other states often pass through Assam before moving toward Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and neighbouring regions. Since these vehicles cannot be fully stopped from entering the state, the government has issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for inter-state pig movement.

At the Assam–West Bengal border, veterinary teams are inspecting every vehicle carrying pigs. In cases where African Swine Fever is detected, the animals are being culled at the border itself as per disease-control guidelines.

The department estimated that the state has already suffered losses worth ₹17–18 crore due to ASF. Compensation procedures for affected pig farmers have begun, and officials urged farmers to strictly follow government advisories and maintain proper hygiene in farms to reduce the risk of infection.

With respect to fish production in the state, the minister further added, "The Assam government has intensified efforts to increase the production of the state’s 260 indigenous fish species. Key wetlands like Dipor Beel, Kakdonga Beel, and others will be preserved and scientifically managed to enhance freshwater fish output".

"The state has set an ambitious target of producing 7 lakh metric tonnes of fish by 2030, aiming to eliminate dependence on fish imports from other states. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, several major initiatives are underway", said minister Paul.

Authorities have appealed to the public to refrain from fishing between April 1 and July 15, which marks the breeding season. Officials said this effort, if successful, would significantly boost Assam’s natural fish stock.

Assam currently produces 25 lakh eggs per day, meeting only 30% of its total requirement. The state government aims to increase egg production by 50–60 per cent by 2027–28.

While the department has no official data on the recent rise in egg prices, it warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found inflating prices unfairly.

On the political front, minister Paul highlighted the significant transformation in Barak Valley’s transport and communication infrastructure. Before 2016, connectivity in the region was poor, but now travel from Guwahati to Barak takes just 5–6 hours, they noted.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly Elections, the minister Paul stated that public satisfaction with the government’s performance remains high. Predicting a decisive victory, the official asserted that the BJP will secure 95+ seats, and Himanta Biswa Sarma will return as Chief Minister.