Jammu, Jan 21 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed confidence on Sunday that an early breakthrough would be achieved in identifying the cause of mysterious deaths in Badhaal village of Rajouri district. His comments followed the arrival of an inter-ministerial team sent by the Union Home Ministry to investigate the incidents.
Speaking to reporters after attending an organ donation event organized by Bharatiya Jain Sangathan at the Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu, Sinha said, “Various teams of different departments had done investigation and examination, including testing of crucial samples (of victims). However, so far, no breakthrough has been achieved in ascertaining real causes behind it (mysterious deaths).”
Home Minister Amit Shah, on January 18, ordered the formation of an inter-ministerial team to ascertain the cause of the deaths. The team comprises experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Ministry of Water Resources.
“Yesterday, the Union Home Minister ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team, consisting of experts from different ministries of the Government of India. The team has reached here. I believe that very soon a breakthrough vis-à-vis the real cause (behind mysterious deaths) will be achieved, and facts will come to the fore,” Sinha remarked.
The team, which arrived in Jammu on Sunday, later proceeded to Rajouri. They are being supported by specialists from animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science labs of the central government.
The Police have also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine potential foul play and other aspects of the incidents. Referring to the ongoing police probe, Sinha said, “The Police have also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe other aspects as well. Once all facts come to the fore, they will definitely be shared with the media.”
The Home Minister’s decision to deploy the inter-ministerial team came two days after Sinha spoke with the victims’ families, assuring them of justice and all necessary assistance.
The inter-ministerial team, in collaboration with the local administration, will work on providing immediate relief and taking precautionary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Experts from some of India’s most reputed institutions have been roped in to manage the situation and identify the causative factors of the deaths. The investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the three incidents that have occurred in the past six weeks in Badhaal village, which have left the community searching for answers.
