Illegal Pig Transportation Continues Despite Ban in Assam

Despite the Assam government’s official ban on the inter-state transportation of pigs, illegal movement continues, raising concern among local pig rearers and authorities alike.

In a notable incident on Sunday morning, a coach carrying pigs from the Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express was detached at Srirampur Railway Station, located on the Assam–West Bengal border in Kokrajhar district. The coach, which was transporting 104 pigs, was removed from the train and kept aside, causing the Vivek Express to be delayed by nearly an hour.

The Pig Rearers Association of Assam staged a rail blockade at Kokrajhar Railway Station on Sunday, protesting the illegal transportation and demanding strict enforcement of the government’s directive.

However, Kokrajhar police detained five members of the association, reportedly to prevent potential disruption. The detained individuals were taken to Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station for questioning.

The incident has sparked widespread debate about enforcement gaps and the need for more stringent checks at entry points, especially in the wake of animal disease outbreaks that threaten both livestock and livelihoods.

The Assam government issued a notification on June 27, officially banning the transportation of pigs by Train from other states following a fresh outbreak of African Swine Fever in parts of the region.