Jammu, Jan 17 (KINS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired an urgent high-level meeting to address the alarming situation in Budhal village, Rajouri district, where 16 individuals have tragically lost their lives under mysterious circumstances. One more victim has recently succumbed to an unexplained illness.
The meeting was attended by Health & Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, ADGP Jammu Anand Jain, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Secretary Health & Medical Education Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, and other senior officials from the health and police departments.
Secretary of Health & Medical Education, Dr. Shah, briefed the Chief Minister on the steps taken so far, detailing that health teams had conducted a comprehensive door-to-door survey of over 3,000 residents in the affected area. Samples of water, food, and other materials were collected and tested, with all results, including tests for influenza and other potential contaminants, returning negative. Additional tests were carried out by leading national institutes such as ICMR, National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Disease Control, CSIR, DRDO, and PGIMER Chandigarh, but the exact cause of the deaths remains unidentified.
Police officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the fatalities, which have occurred within three families living in close proximity (within 1.5 kilometers of each other).
Addressing the gravity of the situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah instructed both the health and police departments to expedite their investigations. “The unexplained nature of these deaths is deeply concerning, and the government is committed to identifying the cause as quickly as possible. I urge all concerned departments to collaborate and leave no stone unturned in resolving this issue,” he stated.
The meeting also highlighted that the health department has maintained a continuous presence in the area for the past 40 days, providing ambulances, medicines, and essential services to address any emergencies.
Expressing his condolences to the affected families, the Chief Minister reassured the public that the situation is being treated with utmost priority. “The health and safety of our citizens is our top priority. The government is fully committed to resolving this crisis and ensuring justice for the affected families,” he concluded.(KINS)
Mysterious Deaths in Budhal: CM Omar Abdullah Urges Swift Action from Health & Police Departments
