Personnel of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have launched full scale culling of chicks and ducks at different areas including Haticherra in West Tripura district following confirmation of the deadly avian influenza. According to the plan, the culling operation will continue for five days to eliminate more than 55,000 chicks and ducks at Haticherra and its adjacent areas. Around 55 chicks died of avian influenza at Haticherra, a tribal village of Sadar subdivision that raised alarm bell across the state. The full scale culling started at notified locations around 7 am and will continue till 4 pm, said subdivisional magistrate DC Paul who is supervising the operation in the entire Mohanpur block. A total of 20 RRTs were engaged to carry out the culling operation, he said adding that the culled chicks and birds would be dumped at designated places. After the five days' full-scale operation, the ARDD personnel will start mopping up operation to ensure no chick or bird is left in the affected areas. As per central government guideline, poultry farming in the bird flu affected areas will not be allowed for next three months. As part of precautionary measures, five drop gates have already been set up to stop movement of chicks and birds from affected areas to outside. The deadly avian influenza might have spread from neighbouring Bangladesh as the both the affected subdivisions