Lawmakers demand CBI investigation
NAVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: The government has attributed Budhal deaths with poisonous substance even though few MLAs fear it a larger conspiracy and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. The clinical reports and laboratory investigations detected the presence of Chlorphenapyr(insecticides) in the visecra samples of the 17 deceased.
Seventeen people, including 13 children, died between December 7 and January 19 in the village. The deaths have sparked widespread concern among lawmakers and locals alike.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the legislative assembly that the cause of illness and deaths in Badhal area of Rajouri is not due to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin.
Replying to a question raised by NC MLA Javeed Iqbal Choudhary, she said that the clinical reports, lab investigations and environmental samples indicate that the incidents are not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin, instead, detection by the PGMIER Chandigarh had revealed presence of Aluminium and Cadmium. Besides, CSIR-IITR Lucknow had found Aldicarb sulphate and Acetamipride Diethyl Dithiocarbamate, Chlorphenapyr while DRDE-DRDO Gwalior found Chlorphenapyr, Abrin from samples of Sattu and Maize bread. He added that the NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad, had found Chlorphenapyr and Chlorpyrophos from the food samples while CFSL, Chandigarh had found Chlorphenapyr in viscera samples of all the 17 deceased.
However Choudhary hinted towards a larger conspiracy and linked the deaths with mysterious deaths in Kathua and Kulgam and demanded a CBI probe in the matter. “Different toxins have been found in the samples. It seems they were poisoned with a truckload of toxins”, he said.
MLA Surankote Choudhary Muhammad Akram supported the demand for a CBI probe. CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yosouf Tarigami also voiced concern, stating, “The invisible hands behind these deaths must be unmasked. It is ironic that the cause of these deaths remains unknown. What happened there today could happen anywhere tomorrow.”
Sakina Ittoo, said, “Samples of 3500 people have been taken for examination and investigation is underway. We have done what we could. The Home Department is not under our control.” She informed the House that an investigation by the Home Department is ongoing. “Further steps will be taken once the investigation is completed,” she said, adding that the deaths were not caused by any disease.
The Minister said that a standard treatment policy and discharge procedure is being adopted for the patients of Badhal area, prepared by the expert team of AIIMS New Delhi/PGI Chandigarh. She added that all the SOPs laid down by these teams are being adopted during the stay of the patients in the hospital and simultaneously at the time of discharge and follow-up.
The Minister said that with regard to the patients in Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, proper SOPs and protocols are being followed for all the three patients admitted in GMCH Jammu after being referred from GMCH Rajouri. She added that 2 patients are being kept in the Isolation ward while 1 patient after being shifted from PGI Chandigarh is being kept in a separate room in the Sir Colonel Chopra Nursing Home.
The Minister said that the deceased family members of village Badhal of Rajouri district have been paid an amount of Rs. 1 lakh and 50,000 Red Cross Fund by the Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri.
