Jammu and Kashmir: Rajouri village declared containment zone after 17 mysterious deaths

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Wednesday declared Badhal in Rajouri district a containment zone after 17 persons died in the village under mysterious circumstances, reported The Hindu.

Since December 7, the village has seen four waves of deaths among the members of three related families. Of those who died, 13 were children.

A 24-year-old man identified as Aijaz Ahmad was hospitalised on Tuesday evening in critical condition, reported PTI.

Doctors had claimed that the deaths were caused by neurotoxins, but the causality is yet to be established despite extensive testing.

On Wednesday, the authorities divided Badhal into three containment zones – the first covering all families where deaths have occurred.

“The houses of these affected families shall be sealed and entry will be totally restricted for all individuals, including their family members, unless otherwise authorized by the designated officers/officials,” read the order issued by Additional District Magistrate (Rajouri) Rajeev Kumar Khajuria.

The second zone includes those homes whose residents were in close contact with those who died. They would be shifted to Government Medical College in Rajouri for monitoring.

The third zone covers all other households.

Officials will monitor all meals provided to families within the containment zones. Police personnel will also be deployed to ensure adherence to the protocols.

“All public and private gatherings are hereby prohibited within the jurisdiction of these containment...

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