'Part of larger conspiracy to destabilise region: '17 deaths in J&K's Rajouri tied to multiple toxins, MLAs demand CBI probe

JAMMU: Lawmakers in J&K pressed for a CBI probe into the unexplained deaths of 17 villagers at Budhal in Jammu division’s Rajouri district, after lab tests revealed traces of multiple toxins in their bodies and food samples.
During question hour in the assembly, Budhal MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary alleged that the deaths were part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the region. “Different toxins have been found in the samples. It seems they were poisoned with a truckload of toxins,” he added.
The deaths were reported between Dec 7 last year and Jan 19. Villagers linked the fatalities to a wedding feast on Dec 2. Since then, Budhal has faced a string of funerals, with the deceased belonging to the families of Fazal Hussain, Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Rafiq. Author- ities have banned social gatherings in the village, located 57km from Rajouri town.
J&K health minister Sakina Itoo said a probe by home department was ongoing. She ruled out disease as the cause, citing reports from medical institutes across the country. “Clinical reports, lab investigations, environmental samples indicate deaths were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin,” she said in the assembly.
According to reports from PGIMER Chandigarh, traces of aluminium and cadmium were found in victims. CSIRIITR Lucknow detected aldicarb sulfate, acetamiprid, diethyldithiocarbamate, and chlorfenapyr. DRDO Gwalior identified chlorfenapyr and abrin in food samples of sattu and maize, while NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad found chlorfenapyr and chlorpyrifos. CFSL Chandigarh also confirmed chlorfenapyr in viscera samples of all 17 dead villagers.
Authorities are probing the source of contamination, with forensic and toxicological analyses underway. “Police and health depts are working closely to trace origin of poisoning and prevent more fatalities,” Itoo added.
Legislators from NC, PDP, and CPM supported Budhal MLA Choudhary’s demand for a CBI probe. “The gravity of these deaths necessitates a probe to uncover the root cause,” Choudhary added.