Jammu- The demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 17 mysterious deaths in Badhal village of Rajouri resonated in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, with MLAs alleging a larger conspiracy behind these fatalities and even linking them with the recent deaths in Kulgam and Kathua. The government informed the House that multiple toxins were detected in samples collected from the area and the viscera of the deceased.
As Question Hour commenced, National Conference (NC) MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary pressed for a CBI probe following Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Ittoo’s revelation that nearly half a dozen toxins were identified in the collected samples.
“Different toxins have been found. It appears they were poisoned with a substantial amount,” Choudhary stated, arguing that the deaths should not be seen in isolation from similar incidents in Kulgam and Kathua.
“This seems like an attempt to destabilize peace,” he added, urging for a high-level investigation.
MLA Surankote Choudhary Muhammad Akram echoed the demand, asserting that the lack of clarity around the cause of deaths necessitated a CBI inquiry.
“Nobody is listening to us. A CBI probe is needed,” he said.
CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami called for exposing the “invisible hands” behind the fatalities.
“It is ironic that the cause remains unknown. What happened there today could happen anywhere tomorrow,” he warned.
In response, Minister Sakina Ittoo stated that the Home Department was already investigating the matter.
“We do not have jurisdiction over the Home Department to order another inquiry at this stage,” she said, but assured that further steps would be considered once the current probe is completed.
In a written statement, the minister disclosed that laboratory reports from PGIMER Chandigarh detected traces of aluminum and cadmium, while the CSIR-IITR Lucknow report found Aldicarb sulfate, Acetamiprid, Diethyldithiocarbamate, and Chlorfenapyr.
Additionally, tests conducted by DRDE-DRDO Gwalior confirmed the presence of Chlorfenapyr and Abrin in food samples, including sattu and maize bread. The National Food Laboratory (FSSAI) in Ghaziabad also found traces of Chlorfenapyr and Chlorpyrifos. The CFSL Chandigarh report confirmed Chlorfenapyr in the viscera samples of all 17 victims.
Notably, the Union Home Ministry has already deployed an inter-ministerial team to investigate the cause of these deaths.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
