Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 30: After 54 days of uncertainty, life in Badhaal, Rajouri is finally returning to normal following a mysterious illness that claimed 17 lives.
Over the last seven days, no new cases have been reported, and most of the previously admitted patients have recovered, which has brought some relief to the fear-stricken community.
Locals said that though delayed, the government’s preventive measures have helped in containing the crisis. However, they demand urgent answers regarding the exact cause of the deaths so that proper safety measures can be put in place and that the residents can resume normal life without fear.
The first death in Badhaal was reported on December 8, and since then, more than 50 days have passed without the government being able to determine the cause.
Locals expressed frustration over the slow pace of the investigation, saying the issue should have been treated as a health emergency and resolved on priority.
A government official informed that most patients admitted at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri have recovered, though they remain under observation. He said that antidotes given to the affected patients have been effective, but authorities still lack conclusive evidence about the cause of the deaths and are awaiting Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports.
MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary, speaking to KNO, criticised the delayed investigation and expressed concern that no official FSL or test reports have been released even after nearly two months. The situation remains in the realm of ‘guesswork’, with no confirmed scientific findings, he said.
The MLA accused GMC Jammu of negligence, holding them responsible for the deaths of 12 children. He vowed to push for a full-fledged investigation. “There must be a swift inquiry process,” he said, adding that authorities must prioritise finding the root cause of these deaths.
