JAMMU: Lawmakers in J&K pressed for a CBI probe into the unexplained deaths of 17 villagers at Budhal in Jammu division’s Rajouri district, after lab tests revealed traces of multiple toxins in their bodies and food samples.
During question hour in the assembly, Budhal MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary alleged that the deaths were part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the region. “Different toxins have been found in the samples. It seems they were poisoned with a truckload of toxins,” he said.
The deaths were reported between Dec 7 last year and Jan 19. Villagers linked the fatalities to a wedding feast on Dec 2. Since then, Budhal has faced a string of funerals, with the deceased belonging to the families of Fazal Hussain, Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Rafiq.
Authorities have banned social gatherings in the village, located 57km from Rajouri town.
J&K health minister Sakina Itoo said an investigation by the home department was ongoing. She ruled out disease as the cause, citing reports from medical institutions across the country. “Clinical reports, lab investigations, and environmental samples indicate the deaths were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin,” she said in the assembly.
According to reports from PGIMER Chandigarh, traces of aluminium and cadmium were found in the victims. CSIR-IITR Lucknow detected aldicarb sulfate, acetamiprid, diethyldithiocarbamate, and chlorfenapyr. DRDE-DRDO Gwalior identified chlorfenapyr and abrin in food samples of sattu and maize bread, while NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad found chlorfenapyr and chlorpyrifos. CFSL Chandigarh confirmed chlorfenapyr in the viscera samples of all 17 dead villagers.
Authorities are investigating the source of contamination, with forensic and toxicological analyses underway. “Police and health departments are working closely to trace the origin of the poisoning and prevent more fatalities,” Itoo said.
Legislators from NC, PDP, and CPM supported Budhal MLA Choudhary’s demand for a CBI investigation. “The gravity of these deaths necessitates a probe to uncover the root cause,” he said.
Union home minister Amit Shah has sent an inter-ministerial team to assess the situation. Govt has assured that further steps will be taken on the basis of the home department’s findings.