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| One more Budhal youth shifted to GMC Rajouri | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 21: Amidst the grim backdrop of 17 deaths due to a mysterious illness in Badhaal village of the Kotranka area of Rajouri district, another resident has been shifted in critical condition to the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri.
Officials have identified the youth as Aijaz Ahmad, a man in his early 20s, who had reportedly been tending to some of the girls hospitalized in Jammu before they succumbed to the unexplained disease.
Although Aijaz’s symptoms differ from those seen in the earlier victims—characterized by high fever, body pain, vomiting, and loss of consciousness—the authorities acted swiftly to ensure he received timely medical attention, citing the need for precaution.
Meanwhile a high-level 16-member inter-ministerial team dispatched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Badhaal village in Rajouri district on Monday to investigate the deaths caused by a “mysterious” illness that has claimed 16 lives since December 7, 2024.
The team met with the bereaved families to offer condolences and begin their inquiry, officials said.
The team, led by a director-level officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, reached Rajouri headquarters on Sunday evening, where senior health and police officials briefed them about the situation. Experts from some of the country’s most reputable institutions have been engaged to understand the causes behind these unexplained deaths and devise strategies to manage the crisis.
The team has been divided into two groups to expedite the investigation. According to a senior health official, efforts are in full swing to uncover the root cause of the fatalities.
The illness initially claimed nine lives from two families between December 7 and 12, 2024. Since then, the death toll has risen to 16, leaving the village in shock and distress.
Preliminary investigations and sample analyses have suggested that the deaths were not caused by a communicable bacterial or viral disease, ruling out an immediate public health threat, according to a spokesperson for the Jammu and Kashmir government.
However, police investigations revealed the presence of certain neurotoxins in the deceased’s samples. In response, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising 10 members has been constituted to probe further into the matter.
Authorities in Rajouri district have also taken preventive measures by sealing a village spring after tests detected the presence of pesticides and insecticides in its water. The contaminated spring has been identified as a potential source of the illness, and further testing is underway.
As the investigation unfolds, the residents of Badhaal village remain anxious for answers. The MHA-led team’s findings will be crucial in determining the cause of this tragedy and preventing similar incidents in the future. |
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