Pesticide Shops In J&K's Rajouri Sealed 2 Months After Mysterious Death Of 17 Locals

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district have inspected and closed insecticide, pesticide, and fertilizer stores after 17 deaths from a mysterious illness.

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Source : ABPLIVE AI

Taking a major step regarding the ongoing investigation into the deaths of 17 people who died due to a mysterious illness in Badhaal village of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, authorities on Wednesday conducted surprise inspections of all insecticide, pesticide, and fertilizer stores in the district and initiated their closure, news agency PTI reported.

As per the details, 11 patients who were admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMC) after falling ill due to the illness in the village have fully recovered and been discharged on Tuesday, the officials said. These patients were treated with Atropine, an anti-poison drug.

The action was taken in the late-evening by the authorities in the border district, followed by the closure of all these stores until further orders. Joint teams from the department of agriculture, department of food and drugs control organisation, assisted by police and headed by an executive magistrate, conducted simultaneous surprise inspections at all these outlets located across the district.

According to the information, the number of these outlets is believed to be around 250.

An official stated, "Sampling of all kinds of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers has been done and samples are being collected at the site followed by seizure of business establishment till sample reports are received."

The officials further said that this action has been undertaken by government authorities as part of the ongoing investigation and legal action following 17 mysterious deaths in Badhaal village over the past nine weeks, with the causes of these deaths still unclear. "The action is expected to continue into day two, Thursday", they said. 

A team of doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, also had a three-day visit to Rajouri. They examined patients from Badhaal village and collected various samples as part of their investigation into the recent deaths in the area.

During their visit, a five-member team of AIIMS Delhi experts, including specialists in toxicology, conducted interviews and recorded clinical histories from the 11 patients currently undergoing treatment for the mysterious illness responsible for 17 deaths.

Between December 7 and January 19, 17 members, including 13 children, from three families died under mysterious circumstances after falling sick in the village in Rajouri district. The administration directed stringent containment measures to prevent further loss of lives following the deaths.

As per the information, the containment zone has been divided into three zones — Category 1, 2, and 3. Containment Zone 1 is for the households where deaths have occurred. People from that house are restricted from venturing out.