THRISSUR: Kerala agricultural University (KAU) Vice-Chancellor Viswambharan on Monday ordered an inquiry by a five-member highlevel expert committee into the alleged death of peacocks near the Cashew research Station of the KAU at Madakkathara, near here. Dean of the College of Veterinary and animal Sciences Dr Nanu will be the chairman of the committee. The inquiry was ordered following reports that over 20 peacocks were found dead around the Cashew research Station last week and the dead peacocks were buried by the locals. It has been alleged that the peacocks died after inhaling the toxic air, caused by spraying insecticides, in the cashew plantation by the research Station. Sources when contacted said that an intensive search to locate the spot where the peacocks were buried was carried out by a team of KAU officials led by the local Mla Rajaji Mathew Thomas on Sunday. However such a spot could not be located during the search, neither did anyone came forward to point out the spot. The area around the research Station is the nesting place of nearly 200 peacocks. KAU sources said that Forest officials on Monday brought a sick young female peacock with a deep injury on one of its legs to the Veterinary Hospital of the KAU. the local people found the injured bird near the research Station and they handed it over to the Forest officials. KAU officials said that the injured peacock died at the intensive care unit of the hospital. The report of the postmortem conducted on the body of the bird had stated the cause of death was a deep injury on its leg caused either due to a shot from an air gun or a stone thrown at the bird. The report also stated detection of moderate narcotic particles in the liver and heart of the bird. Meanwhile, following a petition by one P D Joseph demanding a Vigilance inquiry into the alleged death of peacocks, enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) P Q Barkath ali directed the Chief Conservator of Forest to submit a report with regard to the allegation.