DT Impact: Officials swing into action, clear pigs from BBR Nagar

The report titled ‘Pallavaram Residents demand action to tackle pig Menace in their area’, which appeared in DTNext edition dated May 24 had highlighted the fear among residents of BBR Nagar, who have been seeking help from the civic body to remove the animals from the area for many years now. 

The pigs have become a profitable business for a few, who catch and kill them to sell the meat to sellers in the market, every weekend. 

The outbreak of Nipah virus in the neighbouring state of Kerala has triggered a panic among them, as the animal is reported to be an intermediate host of the virus. A senior official from the civic body said, “The virus has triggered a panic among the residents and it was attended to immediately.” 

The residents who had filed a complaint with the municipality, earlier this week, heaved a sigh of relief, following the prompt action.

MC Balaraman, a resident, who has been following up on the menace for several years now, said, “As many as 10 animals were rounded up from the area by pig catchers. 

However, we are not very sure if this could be a permanent solution. They are likely to return, as there is a profitable business being run with these animals.”