JAMMU, India — Authorities have launched an intensive investigation into a series of mysterious deaths involving 17 villagers after a wedding feast in Budhal, located in the Rajouri district of Jammu division. The deaths, which spanned from December 7 to January 19, have alarmed the local community and spurred demands from lawmakers for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The fatalities were first linked to a wedding event on December 2. Subsequent laboratory tests on both body tissues and food samples revealed alarming traces of multiple toxins, sparking fears of intentional poisoning. Some of the substances detected include heavy metals like aluminium and cadmium and several pesticides and chemical compounds such as aldicarb sulfate, acetamiprid, and chlorfenapyr.
During a recent legislative session, local assembly member Javed Iqbal Choudhary voiced concerns that the incident might be part of a broader scheme to destabilize the area. He emphasized that the range and quantity of toxins found suggest a deliberate act rather than accidental contamination.
In response to the incidents, all social gatherings in Budhal have been suspended as a precautionary measure. Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo addressed the assembly, indicating that preliminary investigations conducted by various national medical and toxicological institutes had ruled out infectious diseases as the cause of death.
Authorities are actively investigating the source of the contamination. According to Itoo, the police and health departments are collaborating closely to trace the origins of the toxins responsible for the deaths and to prevent further casualties.
Support for a deeper investigation has also come from various political parties within the region, including NC, PDP, and CPM members who stood in unison with Choudhary’s call for a CBI investigation. They cited the severity and mysterious nature of the deaths as grounds for national-level involvement.
In a move signaling the gravity of the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dispatched an inter-ministerial team to Budhal to assess the matter firsthand. The government has committed to taking further action based on the findings and recommendations of this team and the ongoing inquiries by the home department.
The community remains on edge as the investigation continues, with hopes that the involvement of high-level forensic and toxicological experts will soon shed light on the tragic events that have so far left more questions than answers. Meanwhile, the temporary ban on public gatherings stands as a reminder of the seriousness with which authorities are taking the situation.