JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday visited the remote Badhaal village in Kotranka in Rajouri district to meet the three bereaved families that have, since Dec, lost 17 members to a mystery illness. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man from the village was rushed to GMC Rajouri in critical condition.
Officials said Badhaal resident Aijaz Ahmed didn’t exhibit the exact symptoms (high fever, body pain, vomiting, loss of consciousness) of those who succumbed to the mystery illness but was hospitalised urgently for timely medical attention as authorities didn’t want to take any chances.
The CM’s visit came on a day when a high-level inter-ministerial team was in the village to probe the reasons behind the mass deaths. He went to the graveyard with Budhal MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary to pay respects to the deceased before meeting the grieving families.
Eight of the deceased — including six siblings, their paternal granduncle, and his wife — have succumbed since Jan 12 alone after developing symptoms of fever, sweating, vomiting, and dehydration following a fatiha (memorial) ceremony in the village. Earlier in Dec, nine members of two families related to these siblings had died similarly.
The CM condoled the tragedy and assured the bereaved families of govt assistance. He directed Rajouri deputy commissioner Abhishek Sharma to extend all help to the kin of the deceased. Omar said J&K govt’s priority was to end the spate of deaths immediately and prevent similar catastrophes in future, adding that a detailed investigation was underway to ascertain the reasons behind the situation and the findings would be made public.
“The civil administration and health department are actively addressing the matter. Police have constituted an SIT to investigate the deaths,” the CM said, adding that a central team had been deputed to uncover the reasons behind the tragedy. Urging restraint in political interference, he said: “I appeal to everyone to allow the agencies concerned to perform their duties.”
The Budhal MLA submitted a proposal to the CM for providing compensation to the affected families. The CM said the proposal was under consideration and pledged timely action.