Mawkyrwat, August 27: The Hills Farmers’ Union (HFU) Central Body, led by its president Commander Shangpliang, on Thursday visited several villages in South West Khasi Hills District following reports of continued pig deaths over the past three to four months.

Accompanied by members of the HFU’s district unit, the delegation met pig farmers to assess the impact of the suspected disease outbreak and document the losses suffered by affected families.

The survey began in the Shilliang Um area and covered Nongbrei Nongdom, Mawthong, Mawsep, Rangblang, Umdohlun and several other villages.

Farmers told the union that they had suffered substantial financial losses due to the deaths of their livestock. The HFU said many families in the region depend on pig farming for their livelihoods and to meet expenses, including their children’s education.

Speaking to reporters, Shangpliang said the HFU, in collaboration with village headmen, was compiling the names of affected pig farmers not only in South West Khasi Hills but across Meghalaya. The list will be submitted to the State Government along with a demand for compensation.

He said farmers were entitled to compensation and alleged that the Government had failed to act on the union’s earlier demand to establish screening and testing facilities for pigs brought into Meghalaya from other states.

The HFU suspects that livestock brought from outside the State could be contributing to the spread of the disease. However, the suspected link has not been confirmed through an official veterinary investigation.

The union urged the Government to immediately establish livestock testing facilities at entry points, ensure adequate medicines and preventive vaccines for surviving pigs, and deploy sufficient veterinary personnel to provide treatment and vaccination in every affected village.