The veterinary doctors stationed at the cattle checkgate at Umling, Ri-Bhoi, left their post on Sunday evening due to “security concerns”, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department clarified today.
Yesterday, it was reported that the vets left as other people, connected to high-level individuals, had taken over their work, for the purposes of extortion or other dubious reasons.
However, today the department’s Director issued a rebuttal, saying that the veterinary staff left their posts because of security concerns, though what these concerns were was not spelled out.
They returned to their posts last night after the district administration made necessary security arrangements. They also denied that there was any extortion going on at the site.
The vets are stationed there to check and verify the health status of livestock before entering Meghalaya. It was erected by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to screen cattle and buffaloes meant for consumption in Meghalaya as well as those transiting through on their way to other states.
The Director encouraged anyone with information of malpractice at the site to inform the government.
