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RAJOURI, J&K – Authorities in the Budhal village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district have sealed a water spring following the death of a 17th villager from a mysterious illness. The latest victim, Yasmeen Kousar, died on Sunday in SMGS hospital in Jammu city. Tragically, Yasmeen is the sixth child of Mohammad Aslam to succumb to the unknown disease, which has baffled doctors and administrators for over a month.
The outbreak began on December 8th of last year, and all 17 victims belong to just three related families within Budhal village in the Kotranka sub-division. The deaths include 13 children between the ages of three and fifteen.
Despite extensive testing at leading laboratories both within and outside the union territory, results have been negative for any common viral or bacterial infections. However, the presence of toxins has been confirmed in analyzed samples.
Following these findings, officials have identified a local spring as the likely source of the contamination. Water samples from the spring tested positive for pesticides and insecticides, prompting immediate action.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Kotranka sub-division issued an order to seal the spring and deploy security personnel around the clock to prevent anyone from accessing the water. “Whereas, the samples of water taken from the spring (‘bawli’) of village Badhaal have been tested positive for some pesticides or insecticides… the said ‘bawli’ has been blocked by PHE (public health engineering department), Jal Shakti division, Rajouri, and sealed by the magistrate concerned,” the order stated.
Recognizing the potential for villagers to attempt to access the water source, the order further instructed the tehsildar of Khawas to ensure strict adherence to the ban. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Kandi has been directed to maintain a 24/7 security presence at the spring to enforce the restriction. The order emphasizes the urgency of the situation, citing the “interest of public health and safety.”
The crisis has prompted a high-level response, with an inter-ministerial team formed on the orders of Union Home Minister Amit Shah arriving in Budhal on Sunday to investigate the cause of the outbreak.
Police have also launched a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to explore any potential criminal involvement. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the precise nature of the contamination and prevent further tragedies.
