SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Thursday that the state government, in coordination with central agencies, has intensified its efforts to determine the cause of multiple deaths in Budhal, Rajouri. The tragic incident, which has claimed 17 lives, has left the region in shock and raised concerns among residents.
During a visit to Budhal, the Chief Minister assured the public that the government is committed to uncovering the reasons behind the fatalities and preventing further occurrences. He stated that the health department had been involved from the outset and that other departments and local organisations were working together to ensure a comprehensive response.
Abdullah clarified that preliminary tests had ruled out the possibility of bacterial or viral infections, easing fears of a disease outbreak. “All tests conducted so far indicate no presence of bacteria or viruses. This was our first priority—to ensure that no illness was spreading,” he said.
To expedite the investigation, the government has deployed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the police, alongside teams from the civil administration and the central government. These teams are actively collecting samples and conducting analyses to determine the cause of the deaths. “The combined efforts of the civil administration, the police SIT, and the central government team will help us uncover the truth behind this tragedy,” Abdullah said.
Addressing the challenges of healthcare in remote areas like Budhal, Abdullah acknowledged the limitations in establishing large hospitals in such regions but reiterated the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure at the grassroots level. “We will strengthen primary and community health centres as well as sub-district hospitals to ensure better healthcare access in remote areas,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of handling such crises with care and transparency, citing past incidents where rushed decisions had led to public dissatisfaction. “This time, we are ensuring a thorough investigation and careful steps to address the situation responsibly,” he added.
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The majority of the deceased reportedly belong to three interrelated families, further intensifying the need for a swift and thorough investigation. Authorities are determined to uncover the cause of the fatalities and prevent any recurrence, with Omar Abdullah assuring the public of the government’s unwavering focus on resolving the crisis.
A DIPR JK statement added:
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited Badhaal village to meet the families of the 17 individuals who tragically lost their lives, impacting three families.
Expressing profound grief, the Chief Minister extended his condolences and assured the bereaved families of full support and assistance from his government. He was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Javed Rana and MLA Budhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, during the visit.
The Chief Minister stressed that the government’s priority is to ensure the prevention of such incidents in the future and an immediate end to a spate of unfortunate deaths. He assured the public that a detailed investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tragedy.
“The civil administration and health department are actively addressing the matter, while the police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident. Additionally, a central team has been deputed and is working diligently to uncover the reasons behind this unfortunate loss of life,” he stated. During the visit, MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary submitted a proposal for compensation to the affected families.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the proposal is under active consideration and pledged timely action.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also directed Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, to extend all necessary support to the families during this difficult time.
He reassured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made transparent and that appropriate measures would be implemented based on the results.
Urging restraint in political interference, he added, “I appeal to everyone to allow the concerned agencies to perform their duties. Identifying the reasons behind these tragic deaths is our utmost priority, and we are committed to taking steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
