Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (January 20, 2025) barred residents of Badhal village in Rajouri from drawing water from a local spring and cautioned against community feasts until the reason for 17 recent deaths in three families could be determined.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kotranka directed the Tehsildar of Khawas “to ensure that no villager use the water from the spring in any case”. He also asked the Station House Officer “to depute two or three security personnel round the clock at the baoli (spring) so that the use of water of the said spring may be stopped completely”.The move came after the samples of water taken from the spring “tested positive for some pesticides and insecticide”.
“There is an apprehension that the tribal population of the village may collect the flowing water,” an official said.In another order, the residents of Badhal were advised to restrain from organising community feasts. “This ban on community feasts is extended and shall remain in force till further orders.
The Tehsildar and the SHO shall ensure that no community feasts shall take place in the village in any form,” the order read.
Since December 7 last year, four waves of deaths have struck Badhal village and left 17, including 12 children, dead and at least 28 affected. Doctors claim that neurotoxins were causing these deaths but failed to detect any source for it so far. In spite of extensive testing, no definitive cause has been established.Meanwhile, a high level inter-ministerial team visited Badhal village on Monday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs constituted the team to ascertain the cause of death. The J&K government has also set up a special investigation team, which is maintaining a close vigil on the village and collecting clues to establish the cause of these deaths.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kotranka directed the Tehsildar of Khawas “to ensure that no villager use the water from the spring in any case”. He also asked the Station House Officer “to depute two or three security personnel round the clock at the baoli (spring) so that the use of water of the said spring may be stopped completely”.The move came after the samples of water taken from the spring “tested positive for some pesticides and insecticide”.
“There is an apprehension that the tribal population of the village may collect the flowing water,” an official said.In another order, the residents of Badhal were advised to restrain from organising community feasts. “This ban on community feasts is extended and shall remain in force till further orders.
The Tehsildar and the SHO shall ensure that no community feasts shall take place in the village in any form,” the order read.
Since December 7 last year, four waves of deaths have struck Badhal village and left 17, including 12 children, dead and at least 28 affected. Doctors claim that neurotoxins were causing these deaths but failed to detect any source for it so far. In spite of extensive testing, no definitive cause has been established.Meanwhile, a high level inter-ministerial team visited Badhal village on Monday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs constituted the team to ascertain the cause of death. The J&K government has also set up a special investigation team, which is maintaining a close vigil on the village and collecting clues to establish the cause of these deaths.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
