To set up required infrastructure for pony farms and their grazing fields, Manipur Veterinary Minister Khashim Vashum along with officials of veterinary and animal husbandry visited Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, Imphal East and the campus of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, Lamphelpat, Imphal West on Wednesday.
The move came following reports of many untoward incidents involving Manipuri ponies which occured due to their loitering in streets. Manipuri ponies have been frequently found loitering on the streets due to the lack of grazing fields.
During his visit, the minister inspected the present condition of the Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, and Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association.
Meanwhile, director, veterinary and animal husbandry Ng Ibotombi Singh issued an appeal to the public, specially the Pony owners and lovers that a numbers of livestock are being let loose, and thereby loitering and straying on the roads in and around Imphal City.
The stray ponies and horses are causing not only nuisance, inconveniences to the public and traffic but also causing several vehicle accidents, leading to even losses of many human lives including the ponies, he said.
He further appealed to the people of Manipur in general and the horses/ponies owners in particular to take proper care of their animals and not to let them loose from their respective sheds or compounds to prevent any unintended consequences to the public.
Further, owners who have no facilities to take proper care of their animals are requested to avail the facilities to keep their horses/ponies at ‘Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, Imphal East, Manipur and Campus of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, Lamphelpat, Imphal West, he said.
It may be mentioned that such letting loose of livestock animals, especially horses/ponies colts and letting them stray on the streets is not only a penal offence liable to be prosecuted under the Indian Penal Code, 1973 but also under the provisions of the Cattle -Trespass Act, 1871.
