Poultry ban lifted as samples test negative
Authorities on Thursday lifted a ban on storage, packaging and sale of chicken in the national capital and allowed the reopening of the Ghazipur wholesale poultry market, while withdrawing all temporary restrictions imposed in view of a bird flu outbreak shortly after the animal husbandry department confirmed that the virus that causes the disease was not found in samples of poultry birds in the city.
The move means restaurants and eateries can serve items containing chicken or eggs to their customers, bringing relief among retailers and owners of such establishments who expressed anguish after the ban on sale by three municipal corporations came into effect on
NEW DELHI:
Wednesday. It also means buyers will get chicken at their neighbourhood shops and at online marketplaces.
“Samples taken from poultry markets have tested negative with respect to bird flu. Have directed to open the poultry market and withdraw the orders to restrict trade and import of chicken stocks,” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet in the afternoon. So far, ducks at a park in east Delhi and crows have tested positive in the city.
In his tweet, Kejriwal was
Four men have been arrested for holding a 15-year-old girl captive in Lucknow for over 13 months, raping her and forcing her into prostitution, officials said on Thursday.
LUCKNOW:
According to officials, the incident came to light when the girl, after escaping, complained of stomach ache and was found to be pregnant.
The girl came to Lucknow from Nepal in search of a job two years ago, the officials said. The main accused, who works as a guard at a school, lured her on the pretext of a job and allegedly raped her, they added.
The girl’s parents have been working as marginal labourers in Lucknow for the past five years, they said.
“The main accused took advantage of the girl and lured her with the prospect of job. He took her to a few houses as a house help and began exploiting her sexually,” police officials said.
The accused also allegedly forced her into prostitution, the officials said. The girl was able to identify three other men who raped her, the officials said.
A search is on to nab the remaining accused.