Mysterious Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri District Prompt Investigation as Toll Reaches 15

A nine-year-old girl passed away at a hospital in Jammu on Wednesday, increasing the number of unexplained deaths in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district to 15 over six weeks. The police have established a special investigation team to examine the cause of these fatalities. Health Minister Sakeena Masood dismissed the possibility of a mysterious disease, stating that all tests conducted within and outside the Union Territory yielded negative results.

On Wednesday evening, Zabeena succumbed to her condition at SMGS hospital in Jammu. Officials reported that her four siblings and grandfather had died in the previous four days. All victims exhibited symptoms like vomiting and loss of consciousness. Six children of Mohammad Aslam were admitted to the hospital on Sunday, with only one still fighting for life.

Political Reactions and Investigations

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP criticised the National Conference-led government for its lack of action regarding these deaths. They urged the Centre to send experts for a thorough investigation. "The Omar Abdullah-led administration has failed to prioritise the health and safety of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Such negligence is unacceptable and the government must take immediate responsibility to ensure that this crisis is brought under control," stated BJP spokesperson Tahir Choudhary.

Amid rising concerns, officials have been instructed to review reports from various institutions to determine the cause of death. Initial findings suggest neurotoxins might be present in samples from the deceased, which are undergoing further analysis.

Special Investigation Team Formation

Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Sikarwar announced an 11-member special investigation team led by Superintendent of Police Operations Budhal, Wajahat Hussain. This team includes experts from departments such as Forensic Medicine, Toxicology, Microbiology, Paediatrics, and Pathology. They will also collaborate with specialists from food safety, agriculture, Jal Shakti Public Health Engineering Departments, and FSL team Jammu.

The SIT is tasked with providing weekly updates on their progress to the district police office. The aim is to uncover any potential causes behind these mysterious deaths through comprehensive investigation.

Health Department's Response

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Masood expressed concern over these unexplained deaths. She assured that both police and civil administration would conduct a swift investigation. The health department mobilised its resources after learning about five deaths, screening 3,500 villagers door-to-door and collecting samples for testing at various laboratories.

Three additional deaths occurred shortly after, prompting assistance from premier health institutions across India. Their teams conducted detailed investigations into the situation.

Test Results and Ongoing Efforts

Minister Masood noted that these mysterious deaths resumed after more than 40 days. If caused by a disease, it would have spread rapidly rather than being confined to three nearby families. Tests conducted at institutions like ICMR Pune, NCDC Delhi, DRDE Gwalior, and PGI-Chandigarh returned negative results for diseases or infections.

The same negative results applied to water and food samples collected from the area. Despite extensive testing, no disease or virus was identified as causing these fatalities. Minister Masood visited the village last month to assess the situation personally.

The authorities continue their efforts to uncover the cause behind these tragic events while ensuring public safety remains a priority.