Investigation Ongoing Into Cause of 17 Deaths in Rajouri: Sakeena Itoo

VoM News Desk | 20 Mar 2025 | 09:58 AM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir, Politics | Follow on Google News

Investigation Ongoing Into Cause of 17 Deaths in Rajouri: Sakeena Itoo

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, informed the House today that the cause of illness and deaths in the Badhal area of Rajouri is not due to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin.

Responding to a question raised by Javeed Iqbal Choudhary in the Legislative Assembly, she said that clinical reports, lab investigations, and environmental samples confirm that the incidents are not linked to any communicable disease.

“Detection by PGIMER Chandigarh revealed the presence of aluminium and cadmium, while CSIR-IITR Lucknow found aldicarb sulphate, acetamiprid diethyl dithiocarbamate, and chlorphenapyr. Additionally, DRDE-DRDO Gwalior detected chlorphenapyr and abrin in samples of sattu and maize bread. The NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad, also identified chlorphenapyr and chlorpyrifos in food samples, while CFSL Chandigarh confirmed the presence of chlorphenapyr in viscera samples of all 17 deceased,” she said.

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The Minister informed the House that a total of 64 patients were admitted to GMC Rajouri, of whom 41 were discharged after treatment. Seventeen patients were referred to GMC Jammu, and one was sent to PGI Chandigarh. She added that six patients died in GMC Rajouri, while 11 others passed away in GMC and SMGS Hospitals, Jammu.

She said that a standard treatment policy and discharge procedure for the affected patients has been prepared by expert teams from AIIMS New Delhi and PGI Chandigarh. These standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being followed during hospital stays, at the time of discharge, and in follow-up care.

Regarding the patients at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, she said that all protocols and SOPs are being strictly followed. “Two patients are being kept in the isolation ward, while one patient, transferred from PGI Chandigarh, is in a separate room at Sir Colonel Chopra Nursing Home.”

The Minister said that the families of the deceased in Badhal village, Rajouri district, have been provided financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 from the Red Cross Fund by the Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri.

In response to a supplementary question, she informed the House that samples from 3,500 people have been collected for examination, and the investigation is ongoing.

M Y Tarigami and Choudhary Mohammad Akram also raised supplementary questions.

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