‘Our priority is to stop the cycle of deaths’
Ishtiyaq Kar
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir government, along with central agencies, has intensified efforts to uncover the cause of multiple deaths in Budhal, Rajouri. The tragic incident, which has claimed the lives of 17 people, has sent shockwaves through the region.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing the media while visiting Budhal, assured that every effort was being made to determine the cause of the fatalities. “From the moment the first incident was reported, the health department has been actively involved. We have also included other departments and local organizations to ensure a coordinated response,” Abdullah said as per news agency KINS.
Omar Abdullah confirmed that initial tests ruled out the presence of any bacterial or viral infection, dismissing fears of a disease outbreak. “Our first responsibility was to ensure no illness was spreading. Thankfully, all tests so far have confirmed there is no evidence of bacteria or viruses,” he added.
The government has deployed multiple teams to investigate the incident. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the police to probe the matter. A team from the central government is also on the ground, collecting samples and conducting analyses.
“These three efforts—from the civil administration, the police SIT, and the central government team—will work together to answer the questions surrounding this tragedy,” CM assured.
Highlighting the challenges of healthcare infrastructure in far-flung regions like Budhal, he stated that large hospitals cannot be built in every remote area. However, the government is committed to addressing gaps in primary and community health centers. “We will strengthen ground-level health infrastructure, including PHCs, CHCs, and sub-district hospitals, to ensure better healthcare access,” he said.
Abdullah also reflected on the government’s responsibility to handle such crises with care and transparency. “In the past, hasty decisions have led to criticism. This time, we are ensuring a thorough investigation and careful steps,” he remarked.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the government’s top priority is to stop the cycle of deaths in Badhal village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the administration has not yet been able to establish the reason behind 17 mysterious deaths in the village.(KINS)
