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Probe intensifies in Rajouri over 14 mysterious deaths

JAMMU: An 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the unexplained deaths of 14 individuals from three families in Budhal village, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir. The fatalities initially feared to be caused by infectious disease, have been attributed to other potential factors, according to recent reports.

 

The SIT, led by Superintendent of Police (Operations) Budhal, Wajahat Hussain, was established by Rajouri’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Sikarwar, given the gravity of the situation. The team comprises officials from multiple departments, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Vikram Sarmhal, SHOs Abrar Khan and Sushma Thakur, Inspector Rajeev Kumar, Sub-Inspector Pankaj Sharma, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Pawan Sharma.

 

To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the SIT has incorporated experts from forensic medicine, microbiology, paediatrics, and pathology departments, along with specialists from food safety, agriculture, and public health engineering sectors. Assistance from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Jammu has also been sought.

 

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The deaths occurred on December 7, 12, 23, and January 12, involving individuals from three connected families, including a man and his four children, a woman and her three children, and a man with his four grandchildren. Concerns about a contagious outbreak were allayed when microbiological investigations ruled out viral, bacterial, and other microbial infections.

 

Preliminary analysis suggests the presence of neurotoxins in the samples of the deceased, raising the possibility of environmental or toxicological factors. Further testing is underway to identify the exact cause.

 

Health and administrative machinery responded promptly, with door-to-door health screenings conducted for over 3,500 villagers. A team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also conducted extensive sampling in the area.

 

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Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review meeting with health officials and national experts. Emphasizing inter-departmental collaboration, he urged the police and health departments to analyze reports from leading institutions to determine the root cause of the deaths. “Scientific methods and all available resources should be utilized to conclude the investigation promptly,” Dulloo stated.

 

Experts informed the meeting that while infectious diseases have been ruled out, the deaths appear to be localized and epidemiologically linked. Rapid Response Teams have been deployed, and water sources and food supplies are being tested to uncover any toxic contaminants.

 

Health Minister Sakeena Masood reassured the public that laboratory tests within and outside Jammu and Kashmir have yielded no evidence of an epidemic or disease outbreak. However, she acknowledged the concerning nature of the deaths, especially as 13 out of the 14 victims were children.

 

“The health department, with the assistance of premier institutions, has taken exhaustive measures to identify the cause. The police and administration will expedite the probe to resolve this tragic mystery,” the minister said.

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