UML demonstration in Kathmandu demanding immediate control of lumpy skin disease (with photos)

KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML Kathmandu Metropolitan City Committee has emphasized that the government must take quick action to control lumpy skin disease.

They gathered on Wednesday at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu and said that the government has not taken effective actions to control lumpy skin disease.

They stated that, despite the fact that Lumpy Skin has spread across the country, the government has failed to provide the necessary attention.

Speaking at the protest program, former Minister of Bagmati State, Rameshwar Phuyal said that even after the Lumpy Skin epidemic spread across the country, the government was putting oil in its ears, so the demonstration was held to draw the attention of the government. He said that the government could not help the farmers all over the country.

‘There are state governments in seven provinces, governments in all 753 places, and now more than a billion people have been harmed by Lumpy Skin,’ he claimed. Animals have died in 76 different districts. It has spread all over the place. The government, on the other hand, is sound asleep. Everyone was hurt, except the government. That is why we have diverted the government’s focus away from the road.’

Speaking at the event, the former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Bidyasundar Shakya, said that the government should pay due attention to lumpy skin disease while the economic situation of the country is deteriorating. He said that the government has not taken effective measures to control the disease and the farmers whose livestock has been damaged should be compensated.

He said, ‘The economic condition of the country is deteriorating, we have drawn the attention of the government when many animals have died from this disease. The government should take effective measures to control this disease and the farmers who have suffered damage should get proper compensation.’

Speaking at the event, Prem Dangal, President of All Nepal Kisan Federation, said that the government has failed to bring an effective program for the immediate control of Lumpy Skin Disease. He accused the government of delaying the vaccination of animals against lumpy skin.

He said, ‘The government has not been able to bring an effective program for the immediate control of lumpy skin disease. It has spread nationwide. Currently, around 1 million are infected across the country. In the steps taken by the state, it is said that 300,000 livestock have been vaccinated, but there is a delay in other matters.

Vaccination is also being delayed, and the animal insurance scheme is stalled. Experts anticipate that if this outbreak is not stopped soon, 2.5 million animals would be affected and 1 trillion dollars will be wasted, so the government must act quickly.

Participants held placards declaring a lumpy skin epidemic, offering farmers emergency insurance, services to farmers in Gothgoth, arranging preventive, control, and treatment, paying farmers, and supplying farmers with subsidized bank loans.