CM Omar Abdullah visit Badhaal, promises support to grieving families

Shyam Sood
Rajouri, January 21: After forty 44 days of first death in the Badhaal area of Rajouri district due to still unidentified illness, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (January 21) visited Badhaal village and had interaction with heads & surviving members of the affected families and addressed the people. Chief Minister (CM) extended his condolences and assured the three affected families of full support and assistance from his government.
CM Omar Abdullah was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Javed Rana and MLA Budhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhary.
Between December 7 and January 19, the ‘unidentified illness’ has claimed 17 lives of three related families in Badhaal area including thirteen children between 6 and 15 years of age.
Omar Abdullah also visited the houses of Mohd Aslam, who lost 6 children and maternal uncle & aunty; Mohd Rafiq who lost three children and wife and Nizam Din, who lost his son Fazal Hussain (first victim) and four grandchildren.
He said: “Since day one the health and other concerned departments have been working to find/understand the cause behind deaths, which is yet not clear”.
He added the government is working on three points. It is not a disease, which is clear from reports of tests conducted.
“Why this happen? For answer, Police investigation is underway, and a SIT has been constituted to investigate,” said CM.
He added that the Center has also deputed a team of experts which is collecting samples for examination to find out the truth/reason behind these deaths.
“Our priority is to stop further loss of lives, if it is due to disease. All the reports of tests conducted earlier revealed the deaths are not due to bacteria or viruses”. said CM.
He stressed for prevention of such incidents in the future and immediate end to spate of unfortunate deaths.
MLA Budhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhry when asked for suitable compensation for the affected families, CM Omar Abdullah said: “Proposal is under consideration”.
CM reassured the public that the findings of the investigations will be made transparent, appropriate measures will be implemented based on the results and will be shared with the public.
“I appeal to everyone to allow the concerned agencies to perform their duties. Identifying the reasons behind these tragic deaths is our utmost priority, and we are committed to taking steps to prevent such occurrences in the future,” said CM.