JAMMU: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has mandated the formation of a high-level inter-ministerial team to investigate the causes behind three incidents of unexplained deaths in Rajouri district over the past six weeks. The team, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will visit the affected village to conduct a comprehensive inquiry.
According to an official statement from the MHA, the team will include specialists from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Water Resources. Animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic sciences experts will also support the investigation.
The team, scheduled to commence its work on January 19, will collaborate with the local administration to offer immediate relief to affected families and develop preventive measures to avoid future occurrences. Renowned institutions from across India have also been roped in to assist in understanding the underlying causes of these fatalities.
Amit Shah’s announcement comes just two days after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured the victims’ families of justice and comprehensive support during a phone call. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting, urging the Health and Police departments to expedite their investigations into the mysterious deaths. He emphasized the government’s determination to uncover the root cause and resolve the alarming issue swiftly.
“The inexplicable nature of these deaths is deeply troubling. The government is committed to identifying the root cause and ensuring the safety of residents. All concerned departments must work with unwavering focus to resolve this matter,” Omar Abdullah stated.
Earlier, health officials conducted door-to-door surveys, covering over 3,000 residents in the affected area. Samples of water, food, and other materials were collected and analyzed. However, tests, including those for influenza and other potential contaminants, yielded no conclusive results.
Additional analyses by premier institutions such as the ICMR, National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Disease Control, CSIR, DRDO, and PGIMER Chandigarh failed to determine a definitive cause.
Police investigations revealed that the fatalities were confined to three families living within a 1.5-kilometre radius, heightening the urgency of finding answers.
