BADHAAL, Jan 21: During his visit to this village in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah affirmed that an investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of 17 individuals, including 13 children. He assured residents that answers would soon be provided.
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Speaking to the media while conveying condolences to the grieving families, Abdullah acknowledged the challenges of building large hospitals in every area but committed to addressing deficiencies in healthcare services at the district level to ensure better access to medical care for remote communities.
The unfortunate incident saw the deaths of 17 individuals from three interconnected families occurring under unexplained conditions between December 7 and January 19.
“We need clarity on why this occurred. It isn’t a disease, so a police inquiry is currently in progress. A special investigation team has been assigned to resolve the matter.
“Additionally, the Centre has dispatched a team to collect samples and conduct assessments. I assure everyone that the combined efforts of the civil administration, police, and the government of India will uncover the truth behind these events,” the Chief Minister stated.
He noted that the administration acted promptly upon learning of the tragedy.
“The health department mobilized its teams and collaborated with other departments, while the district administration sought to determine the causes of the deaths.
“Initially, our focus was to ascertain whether this was disease-related, and if it were, we recognized our responsibility to prevent its spread. All tests were conducted, confirming the absence of bacteria or viruses,” Abdullah explained.
The investigation is continuing, but a definitive cause for the sorrowful deaths, primarily affecting children, has yet to be established.
Addressing criticisms from the opposition regarding his government’s handling of the situation, Abdullah emphasized that he preferred not to engage in political discourse over such sensitive matters.
“…If we had acted rashly and made a mistake, you would have held us accountable for the deaths. The administration’s response was appropriate, with local MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary present on the ground, reassuring the public and keeping them informed.
“We took our time because we couldn’t determine the reason for these deaths. However, we will reveal the truth, even if it requires an additional two or three days, and we have no objections to this,” he remarked, asserting, “We will provide answers to all inquiries.”
The Chief Minister mentioned that he had conferred with the deputy commissioner and the MLA, who provided recommendations that will be acted upon shortly.
When asked about the need to enhance health infrastructure, Abdullah reiterated that it is impractical to establish large hospitals everywhere, as funding is allotted based on need, population, and local situations.
“While it is not feasible to create large hospitals in remote regions, we will strive to remedy any deficiencies in community health centers, public health facilities, and sub-district hospitals over time,” he concluded. (Agencies)
