In a tragic development, 17 people from three families in Baddal village, Rajouri district, have lost their lives since December, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir Police to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the cause of these deaths.
Government Response
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Minister Javed Rana and MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary, visited the bereaved families on Tuesday. He assured them that the government is actively addressing the situation, stating, “Our priority is to prevent such incidents in the future and to bring an immediate end to this spate of deaths.”
A central investigative team has also been deployed to determine the underlying cause.
Preliminary Findings
An initial probe by the central team, reported by The Indian Express, detected pesticide residues in a nearby “baoli” (water reservoir). However, no direct link has yet been established between the contamination and the deaths, nor has the source of the contamination been identified.
Chief Minister Abdullah emphasized transparency in the investigation and reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing necessary measures once the findings are conclusive.
Community and Political Outreach
During his visit, Abdullah urged restraint in political interference, saying, “I appeal to everyone to allow the concerned agencies to perform their duties. Identifying the reasons behind these tragic deaths is our utmost priority.”
MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary submitted a proposal for compensation to support the affected families, further emphasizing the need for immediate aid and justice.
Next Steps
With the SIT and central team working in tandem, authorities hope to uncover the cause of this tragedy swiftly and prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the government reassures the public that updates on the investigation will be shared transparently.
