Aizawl: The deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai district in south Mizoram, Donny Lalruatsanga, issued an order on Saturday prohibiting the import of cattle from Myanmar due to the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the neighboring country.
Official Confirmation of FMD Outbreak
In his order, the deputy commissioner stated that it has been officially confirmed that FMD is endemic in Myanmar, particularly in areas near Lawngtlai district. To safeguard cows and buffaloes within the district, the import of cattle from Myanmar has been banned for a period of two months.
Legal Basis for the Ban
The order was issued under Section 165 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Violators of the order are liable to be punished under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The ban is effective across the entire district from Friday.
Cross-Border Disease Risks
Due to its close proximity to Myanmar’s southern Chin state and ongoing unregulated trade, Lawngtlai district has frequently faced outbreaks of infectious diseases. In November last year, at least 10 people died in Lawngtlai and the adjoining Siaha district due to cross-border cholera infections from Myanmar.
The ban aims to prevent further spread of FMD and protect livestock in the region. Authorities have urged residents to comply with the order and report any violations.
