HM Shah Directs Formation of Inter-Ministerial Team to Investigate Deaths in Rajouri, J&K
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Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has established an Inter-Ministerial Team to investigate recent fatalities in Rajouri, J&K. The team will collaborate with local authorities and experts to determine the causes, while ongoing investigations by Rajouri Police aim to unravel the mystery behind the deaths linked to neurotoxins.
Key Takeaways
- Inter-Ministerial Team formed to investigate deaths in Rajouri.
- Team includes experts from various ministries.
- Investigative efforts aim to provide immediate relief and prevent future incidents.
- Mysterious deaths linked to neurotoxins.
- Rajouri Police investigating potential foul play.
New Delhi, Jan 18 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah has mandated the creation of an Inter-Ministerial Team, spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to travel to the affected village and uncover the causes behind the recent fatalities occurring in three separate incidents over the last six weeks in Jammu's Rajouri district.
The team will include specialists from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Ministry of Water Resources. They will also receive support from experts in animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science.
This investigative team is set to depart on January 19 and will collaborate with local authorities to provide immediate assistance and implement preventative measures against similar incidents in the future.
Leading professionals from some of India’s most esteemed institutions have been enlisted to assess the situation and identify the underlying causes of the deaths.
In a press briefing concerning the 16 'mysterious deaths' that occurred within a month in Budhal village of J&K’s Rajouri district, medical professionals indicated that these fatalities were linked to neurotoxins.
The principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, Dr. A.S. Bhatia, informed the public that all deceased individuals exhibited a shared medical ailment, specifically brain swelling or edema. He detailed the treatments being administered to the affected individuals and reassured that the health department is vigilantly overseeing the situation.
Authorities underscored that investigations are ongoing and pledged continued community support while striving to discern the cause of the deaths. Dr. Bhatia noted that the neurotoxins identified in samples analyzed by leading laboratories resulted in brain damage.
“We strive to alleviate the issues faced by patients presenting with brain damage; however, once an individual reports with severe brain damage, we cannot reverse the condition,” Dr. Bhatia stated.
It is pertinent to note that samples collected from the village have undergone analysis at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology, Pune, and various other laboratories. The test results did not reveal any virus or bacteria, effectively ruling out any communicable diseases. However, tests confirmed the presence of toxins in the analyzed samples.
The fact that all victims of the 'mysterious' illness are members of three families has raised suspicions regarding potential foul play.
The government has initiated an investigation by Rajouri Police to uncover the enigma surrounding the 16 fatalities that occurred in Budhal village between December 7 and January 17. The Rajouri Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to delve into the case.
