The ruling National Conference legislator Javed Iqbal Choudhary on Wednesday demanded a CBI probe into the death of 17 civilians due to "poisoning" in his Budhal constituency of Rajouri in December 2024.
The MLA said that these deaths should be seen in connection with the recent deaths of tribals in Kathua and Kulgam to unravel the conspiracy behind these incidents.
The demand for a CBI investigation was supported by the CPM legislator from Kulgam Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami and another Independent legislator from Surankote constituency Choudhary Muhammad Akram.
Seventeen people had died and 47 others were infected in the Budhal constituency of Rajouri district in Jammu division over a period of six weeks from December 7 to January 19 due to "unknown reasons." Doctors had claimed that the deaths were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin.
In response to Choudhary’s query in the J&K assembly, health minister minister Sakina Ittoo informed that the clinical reports, lab investigations and environmental samples indicate that the incidents were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin. “Instead, detection by the PGIMER Chandigarh reveals the presence of aluminium and cadmium,” she said, adding, “CSIR-IITR, Lucknow, found aldicarb sulfate, acetamiprid, diethyldithiocarbamate, chlorfenapyr in the samples.”
The minister further informed, “DRDE-DRDO Gwalior found chlorfenapyr (and) abrin from the samples of sattu and maize bread. NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad found chlorfenapyr and chlorpyrifos from the food samples. CFSL Chandigarh found chlorfenapyr in the viscera samples of all deceased.”
“Since the lab reports have found the presence of several substances, it needs to be clarified what exactly happened and what was the source. I demand a CBI inquiry into this as it seems to have been an attempt to destabilise peace,” said Choudhary, adding, “It seems to be a conspiracy and should be seen in connection with the deaths of tribals in Kulgam and Kathua.”
The MLA informed that these 17 people were from three families living at least two to three kms apart from each other, with no common source of food or water. “It seemed to be a larger conspiracy to destabilise peace and should be investigated at the highest level,” he demanded.
The minister later informed the House that an inquiry by the home department into the deaths is in progress and the demand for a CBI probe will be deliberated upon after the completion of the ongoing probe.
The MLA said that these deaths should be seen in connection with the recent deaths of tribals in Kathua and Kulgam to unravel the conspiracy behind these incidents.
The demand for a CBI investigation was supported by the CPM legislator from Kulgam Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami and another Independent legislator from Surankote constituency Choudhary Muhammad Akram.
Seventeen people had died and 47 others were infected in the Budhal constituency of Rajouri district in Jammu division over a period of six weeks from December 7 to January 19 due to "unknown reasons." Doctors had claimed that the deaths were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin.
In response to Choudhary’s query in the J&K assembly, health minister minister Sakina Ittoo informed that the clinical reports, lab investigations and environmental samples indicate that the incidents were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin. “Instead, detection by the PGIMER Chandigarh reveals the presence of aluminium and cadmium,” she said, adding, “CSIR-IITR, Lucknow, found aldicarb sulfate, acetamiprid, diethyldithiocarbamate, chlorfenapyr in the samples.”
The minister further informed, “DRDE-DRDO Gwalior found chlorfenapyr (and) abrin from the samples of sattu and maize bread. NFL, FSSAI Ghaziabad found chlorfenapyr and chlorpyrifos from the food samples. CFSL Chandigarh found chlorfenapyr in the viscera samples of all deceased.”
“Since the lab reports have found the presence of several substances, it needs to be clarified what exactly happened and what was the source. I demand a CBI inquiry into this as it seems to have been an attempt to destabilise peace,” said Choudhary, adding, “It seems to be a conspiracy and should be seen in connection with the deaths of tribals in Kulgam and Kathua.”
The MLA informed that these 17 people were from three families living at least two to three kms apart from each other, with no common source of food or water. “It seemed to be a larger conspiracy to destabilise peace and should be investigated at the highest level,” he demanded.
The minister later informed the House that an inquiry by the home department into the deaths is in progress and the demand for a CBI probe will be deliberated upon after the completion of the ongoing probe.
