Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 21: After spending weeks in quarantine, all 395 residents of Badhaal village in Rajouri district have finally returned home. However, concerns continue to mount over the unexplained deaths of 17 villagers—including 13 children—between December and January.
The villagers, who had been placed in quarantine following the sudden deaths, were released in phases. The last group of 13 residents was discharged on Wednesday, while the majority—around 350 members of 70 families—were permitted to return last Saturday after spending 22 days in quarantine at Government Nursing College and Government Boys' Higher Secondary School in Rajouri town. Earlier, on February 15, a second batch of 32 villagers, who had been in isolation due to health concerns, also returned home.
The mysterious deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19 in the remote Badhaal village of Kotranka Sub-division, raising alarms across the region. Among the victims were 17 members of three families, with children being the most affected.
In response to the alarming situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on January 18, ordered an inter-ministerial team to visit Badhaal village and investigate the cause of the deaths. The team, led by a senior official from the Union Home Ministry, included experts from multiple departments—Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Chemicals and Fertilisers, Water Resources, Animal Husbandry, Food Safety, and Forensic Science Labs.
The tragedy has also sparked political controversy, with the opposition BJP accusing the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government of attempting to suppress crucial details regarding the deaths.
Even as authorities have allo Unexplained deaths of 17 villagers—including 13 children—between December and January still remain a mystery.
The villagers, who had been placed in quarantine following the sudden deaths, were released in phases.
The mysterious deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19 in the remote Badhaal village raising alarms across the region.
In response to the alarming situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shahhad ordered an inter-ministerial team to visit Badhaal village and investigate the cause of the deaths.
He further claimed that while toxicology reports detected neurotoxins in biological samples, the administration has not disclosed the exact nature of these toxins or how they entered the food chain. Additionally, he criticized the government for abruptly shutting down pesticide shops in the district without a proper explanation.
"The people of Rajouri deserve to know the truth. The victims' families are still in distress, and the entire village remains in fear. How can such a large-scale tragedy occur, yet, even after weeks of investigation, no conclusive findings have been shared?" he questioned.
Dr. Choudhary urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct its inquiry with complete transparency and release its findings to the public at the earliest. He also called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally intervene and ensure that the probe is carried out fairly and with a sense of urgency.
"The SIT must act swiftly and truthfully. Any attempt to suppress facts will only deepen public mistrust in the system," he asserted.
With the villagers now back home, but the mystery still unresolved, the pressure is mounting on authorities to provide clear answers and justice for the victims. |
