The chickens were reported to have been kept at a local farm in the district, some 150 km east of Kathmandu.

With the bird flu fear still doing the rounds in the district, local residents have been concerned due to the death of farm birds.

Veterinarian Dr Sushil Adhikari said he is clueless about the sudden death of the chickens.

Poultry entrepreneur Deepak Ranabhat said they are panicked following the incident.

The local administration had banned the import of poultry products from India.

But a local, Ajay Shrestha, said that despite the ban, chickens are being imported from the neighbouring country.