Rajouri mysterious deaths: MP Mian Altaf, Dy CM visit Badhal, assure distressed residents

Rajouri, Jan 18: The ongoing mysterious deaths in Badhal village of Rajouri district, which have claimed 16 lives over the past 45 days, have sparked widespread concern. Member of Parliament for Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi and Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary visited the affected area to assess the situation and offer assurances to the distressed residents.
Expressing his concern, Mian Altaf said, “We do not yet have concrete information about the cause of these deaths. Tests conducted so far have failed to identify the disease or its origin.” He called for intensified investigations and urged the government to bring in expert medical teams from outside the region to determine the nature of the illness and identify a potential cure.
Acknowledging the growing fear among locals, Mian Altaf added, “This is a serious issue, not just for Badhal but for Jammu and Kashmir as a whole. People are deeply worried, and coordinated efforts are urgently needed.”
He assured the residents that the government is taking the matter with utmost seriousness. “The Chief Minister has already chaired a high-level meeting to address this issue, and the health and medical education department is leading the investigation,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary also visited Budhal village and expressed deep concern over the tragic loss of lives. Speaking to the media persons, he described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured the public that the government is doing everything possible to uncover the cause of these deaths.
“The Chief Minister is personally overseeing the investigation, and we are leaving no stone unturned to address the situation,” the Deputy CM said. He acknowledged that certain factors may be beyond the government’s immediate control but added that the administration is taking the matter very seriously.
He also confirmed that initial relief has been provided to the affected families and that files recommending further assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund have been processed.
Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 16 on Friday with the passing of 60-year-old Jatti Begum at the GMC Associated Hospital. Despite extensive medical investigations, including toxicological and forensic analyses, the cause of the deaths remains unknown.
Authorities have formed an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising experts from forensic medicine, toxicology, pathology, and other fields to probe the incidents. Efforts are also underway to examine environmental and toxicological factors that may be responsible for the fatalities.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team led by the Ministry of Home Affairs to visit the village.
The residents of Badhal have urged the government to expedite the investigation and implement measures to prevent further casualties, as the mysterious deaths have left them in a state of anxiety and fear.