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Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir: The Jammu and Kashmir government has confirmed that toxins, not communicable diseases, were responsible for the deaths in the Rajouri district last month. This revelation comes after over a dozen individuals, including seven children, succumbed to an unidentified disease in Badhaal village of Kotranka sub-division since December 7, 2024.
The findings were based on samples analyzed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Toxicological Research (CSIR-IITR). The report ruled out the presence of any viral or bacterial agents in the samples. In response to these findings, the Rajouri police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe potential criminal aspects behind the fatalities.
The first tragedy struck on December 7, when five members of a family of seven died. Just days later, on December 12, three members of another family of nine passed away under similar circumstances. In the latest development, a critically ill child from the village remains under treatment at Jammu’s SMGS hospital.
Speaking to reporters, J&K Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo reassured the public that the deaths were not caused by a communicable disease. She emphasized that the police and district administration are investigating any criminal links to the toxins.
To address the crisis, teams of experts from within the union territory and across India were deployed to Badhaal. Samples collected from the area were sent to leading research institutions, including the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi, the National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the Defence Research and Development Establishment in Gwalior.
Additionally, the government organized extensive medical interventions, including door-to-door screenings and mobile medical units. Food and water samples were collected for analysis, and over 3,500 residents from Badhaal and surrounding villages were screened for any pathogens.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the potential contamination of local resources. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant while assuring them of continued efforts to uncover the root cause of the tragedy.
The SIT is expected to expedite its investigation to determine whether the presence of toxins was accidental or indicative of foul play. The findings are eagerly awaited as they hold the key to preventing further loss of life in the region.
