SIT Formed as Mystery Deaths Reach 15 in Rajouri

The police on Thursday constituted an SIT to investigate the mysterious deaths in the Budhal village of Rajouri where the toll has increased to 15 with another child losing her life last evening.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The J&K government in a statement said that these deaths were not due to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin. Toxins have been found in samples by CSIR-IITR. The toxicological analysis conducted by CSIR-IITR has detected toxins in multiple biological specimens.

Fifteen of the 38 affected persons, including 12 children, have died since 7 December when five children showing symptoms of food poisoning died. Five children shifted here in the SMGS Hospital have died in the past three days. A 9-year-girl, Zabeena, died in the hospital yesterday evening.

The other four children, who died earlier this week in the SMGS Hospital were, Zahoor Ahmad (14), Mohammad Maroof (10), Safina Kousar (6) and Naveena (8). One more girl was undergoing treatment in the hospital.

A government spokesman said that the situation was being closely monitored in village Budhal where an unexplained illness has claimed these lives.