CM Omar Abdullah has asked officials to intensify the probe to ascertain how neurotoxin spread among people in Rajouri, killing 16 people. The central team will visit the district on Sunday to conduct the investigation.
So far, 16 people have lost their lives in the last nearly 45 days due to a mysterious illness in Budhal village of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting concerns in the region and prompting the government to set up teams to probe the incidents.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a meeting on Thursday to discuss this issue and told health and police authorities to accelerate the probe and identify the causes of deaths.
These deaths are unexplained, and this is of grave concern. The government is committed to finding the cause and ensuring our people are safe. All departments need to come together and leave no stone unturned to solve this problem,” Abdullah said in the meeting.
He added that his government is committed to solving the crisis and “ensuring justice for the bereaved families.” Health Minister Sakeena Itoo and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo also attended the meeting.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed that an inter-ministerial team led by the MHA visit the Badhaal village in Rajouri to investigate the cause of deaths. The team will likely comprise experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, and the Ministry of Water Resources.
