JAMMU: The administration of Rajouri district has declared Badhal village a containment zone following 17 unexplained deaths in the area. A formal order issued by the District Magistrate bans all gatherings in the region and outlines comprehensive measures to control the situation.
Strict Measures Enforced
The containment zone is divided into three categories:
Zone 1: Homes where deaths have occurred are sealed, with entry restricted to authorized personnel only
Zone 2: Close contacts of the deceased are relocated to GMC Rajouri for continuous health monitoring.
Zone 3: All households in Badhal are monitored to ensure proper food distribution.
Authorities have emphasized strict surveillance of food consumption. Police personnel have been deployed to enforce compliance, and a logbook documenting food distribution and consumption is updated three times daily by a monitoring officer.
Special Investigation Team Probes Mystery
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has launched an in-depth investigation into the fatalities, which have impacted three families. On Tuesday, a high-level inter-ministerial team deputed by the Union Home Minister continued its inquiry. The team has already visited two affected families and collected samples for examination.
During its initial visit, the team suggested seizing the home of Muhammad Aslam, who lost eight family members to the unidentified illness. On Tuesday, it inspected the residence of Fazal Hussain, where five family members, including children, succumbed to the illness in early December 2024.
Epidemiological Study Underway
The team is analyzing the affected families’ residences for potential epidemiological links. Operating in a confined environment, the experts are accompanied by select local liaison officials, with no external interaction permitted.
Government Response and Strategy
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Badhal on Tuesday, meeting with affected families. He outlined a three-pronged strategy:
- Safeguarding other members of the impacted families.
- Preventing the spread of the mysterious illness to other villagers.
- Investigating the root cause of the deaths.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday with divisional and district officials, health experts, and police personnel to assess the measures taken so far. The meeting included senior officials from Jammu’s health and administrative departments and national health experts.