aExcelsior Correspondent
POONCH, May 10: Many fish and other aquatic animals have died apparently due to mixing of chemicals in Mendhar river.
The killing of thousands of fish continues to wreak havoc in the river for the last few days and the locals of the area are worried over the issue. They fear killing of cattle as well after consuming this water.
Reports said some unknown people went to the river for fishing two days ago where they allegedly contaminated the river water using some poisonous chemical. With this illegal criminal activity a large number of fish have been killed.
When the Mendhar Administration got the news of the fish being killed, the administration immediately approached the District Officer of the Department of Fisheries at Poonch. The team went to the river site for investigation.
According to the locals, this is not a new case. Fish were killed a few occasions earlier also by mixing such chemicals but no cognizance of the matter or action against the culprits was taken. The Fisheries department and local administration at Mendhar has completely failed to investigate this whole matter.
Some locals revealed that for the last several days, some unknown people went to the river to catch fish by putting poisonous chemicals in the river. This can harm the human and animals life in the area and District Administration and Health authorities are silent over the issue.
Tehsildar Mendhar Dr Vikram Kumar when contacted said that the report has been received this morning. We immediately contacted the Fisheries Department official, AD Poonch and asked him to prepare a report on it. This is serious mater and we are investigating on this. Strict action will under law will be taken against the accused persons involved in killing aquatic animals, Tehsildar said.
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