The village of Badhaal in Rajouri district has been sealed following the deaths of 17 individuals due to a mysterious illness since December 7, 2024. The local administration, in a bid to contain the situation and prevent further spread of the infection, declared the village a containment zone under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This decision was made in response to the growing number of deaths and the health risks posed to the community.
The order, issued by the District Magistrate of Rajouri on January 21, 2025, stated that the containment measures are being implemented to curb the spread of the unidentified illness. The measures include sealing the affected households, restricting movement, and monitoring the health of residents.
The recent surge in cases prompted concern, as four villagers, including three sisters, were admitted to the hospital in the last 24 hours with symptoms consistent with the mysterious disease. A 25-year-old youth, Aijaz Ahmad, also showed symptoms and was transferred to PGI Chandigarh from GMC Jammu. The health department has stepped up its efforts to monitor and treat those affected.
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The containment strategy has divided Badhaal into three zones. The first zone includes the homes of the families who have lost members to the illness, with strict access restrictions in place. In the second zone, close contacts of the affected individuals will be relocated to Government Medical College in Rajouri for continuous health monitoring. The third zone encompasses all households, with staff deployed to ensure that food consumption is monitored, and police personnel are enforcing compliance.
Public and private gatherings within the containment zones have been prohibited, and all food and water supplies for the affected families will be provided by the administration. Authorities have ordered the immediate replacement of all food and water supplies in the infected households and have prohibited the consumption of any other food items.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the village on Tuesday, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and assuring residents that the authorities are working to identify the cause of the mysterious deaths. Despite extensive screenings of more than 3,500 locals, no conclusive evidence of a viral or bacterial infection has been found.
An inter-ministerial team, set up under the orders of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has also been dispatched to investigate the cause of the outbreak. The authorities are determined to identify the root of the illness to prevent further loss of life and protect the villagers from potential harm.
As the investigation continues, residents of Badhaal remain on high alert, following the strict containment measures, hoping for answers and relief from the mysterious threat that has claimed so many lives.
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