Residents demand answers as mysterious deaths in Budhal remain unsolved
Srinagar: After 54 days of uncertainty, life in Budhal, Rajouri in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is finally returning to normal following a mysterious illness that claimed 17 lives.
According to Kashmir Media Service, locals demand urgent answers regarding the exact cause of the deaths so that proper safety measures can be put in place, and that the residents can resume normal life without fear.
The first death in Budhal was reported on December 8, and since then, more than 50 days have passed without the government being able to determine the cause.
Locals expressed frustration over the slow pace of the investigation, saying the issue should have been treated as a health emergency and resolved as a priority.
A government official informed that most patients admitted at Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, have recovered, though they remain under observation. He said antidotes given to the affected patients have been effective, but authorities still lack conclusive evidence about the cause of the deaths and are awaiting Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports.
MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary criticised the delayed investigation and expressed concern that no official FSL or test reports have been released even after nearly two months.
