Feathers Ruffled, As Kerala, Tamil Nadu Engage in 'Chicken Fight'

CHENNAI, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Tens of thousands of chicken are caught in the midst of a simmering political tension, ruffling the feathers of both the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments. Health officials from Idukki district in Kerala have apparently refused entry to poultry from its bordering poultry farms in Theni, Tamil Nadu, over complaints the birds suffered from poultry disease. "Kerala officials reportedly took samples of chicken from a van which was stopped at the check-post and detected the disease. "Later, they ordered the check-post officials to stop all chicken-laden lorries and send them back," reported the Hindu newspaper Tuesday. However, Tamil Nadu's Animal Husbandary Department officials have refuted claims of disease-afflicted chicken sent to Kerala, and blamed the current political spat over an old water dam for denial of entry. "Though the chicken was given clearance at the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border check-post by doctors, some political party functionaries had interfered and turned them back, spreading rumours (in the process)," Samuel Durairaj, the department's assistant director, told The Press Trust of India. Both neighbouring southern states are embroiled in a dispute over the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam located in Idukki district. While Kerala insists on tearing down the dam to replace with a new reservoir, its next-door politicians are opposing the move, fearing they would lose precious water supply. -- BERNAMA