New Delhi: To investigate the causes of recent fatalities in the Budhal village of Rajouri district of Jammu, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today directed the formation of an Inter-Ministerial team of experts to visit the affected village to ascertain the causes of deaths.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will lead the team and will include specialists from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Ministry of Water Resources. Additionally, animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science experts will provide support.
The team is set to depart on January 19, 2025, and will collaborate with local authorities to deliver immediate assistance and implement preventive measures to avert similar incidents in future. Renowned experts from leading institutions across the country have been enlisted to address the situation and identify the underlying causes of the deaths.
Furthermore, an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Budhal Sub-Divisional Police Officer Mudassir Hussain, has also been formed to delve into the matter.
It may be recalled that in the last six weeks, Budhal village in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir has experienced 16 unexplained deaths, predominantly affecting three interconnected families. The individuals who passed away exhibited symptoms such as fever, pain, nausea, and loss of consciousness, leading to their deaths shortly after being hospitalized.
The first case emerged on December 7, 2024, when a family of seven fell ill following a communal meal, resulting in five deaths. The total number of fatalities has since risen to 16, with 12 of the deceased being children and four adults.
Authorities have claimed that the deaths are not linked to any communicable disease caused by bacteria or viruses, and investigations are currently underway to uncover the true cause of these deaths.
– global bihari bureau
