BADHAL (RAJOURI): Nearly two months after a mysterious illness claimed 17 lives—including 13 children—in the remote village of Badhal, Jammu and Kashmir, authorities are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the deaths.
Despite forensic confirmation of neurotoxic exposure, the government’s failure to identify the specific toxin or its source has fueled public anxiety, deepening the community’s frustration with systemic neglect.
Two months after the first death, life in Badhal is still caught in a time warp with the only things stirring in the still quarantined area are panic and rumours.
The Unfolding Tragedy
First death in the area was reported on December 7, 2024. Sixteen others died in quick succession between December 7 and January 19, 2025. No illness has been reported ever since.
The series of deaths, concentrated within three interconnected families, were initially attributed to potential viral or bacterial outbreak.
However, toxicology reports ruled out infectious diseases and instead pointed to neurotoxic exposure. Symptoms observed in victims included severe neurological damage, with some patients experiencing seizures, loss of consciousness, and respiratory failure.
In response, authorities imposed medical restrictions in the village, quarantining over 230 people who had been in contact with the deceased. Several patients exhibiting similar symptoms were transferred to hospitals in Jammu and Chandigarh for further treatment.
The Jammu and Kashmir government formed an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Toxicology results from a Lucknow-based forensic lab confirmed the presence of neurotoxins, but officials have yet to determine the exact source—whether it stems from contaminated food, water, environmental factors, or man-made factors.
Samples of water, soil, and food have been collected, but no conclusive findings have been released.
Government Response: Assurances but No Answers
Authorities have ramped up efforts in the wake of mounting pressure. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered an inter-ministerial team to investigate the case. However, its findings remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has canceled all leave for doctors and paramedics to ensure an adequate response.
Dr Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, Principal of Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, said, “all 17 victims exhibited neurological symptoms, including brain involvement and nervous system damage. The presence of neurotoxins has been confirmed, but we still don’t know the source. Further investigation is needed."
Dr Syed Shuja Qadri, Head of the Department of Community Medicine at GMC, Rajouri, expressed optimism about identifying the source soon. He said, "We are hopeful that we will have answers soon. Once we have clarity, we will disclose the findings to the public."
Despite these measures, frustration is growing among residents, who accuse the government of negligence and withholding information.
Local political activist Syed Majid Shah echoed a common concern, "I personally visited the area. No one was given a proper explanation for the deaths. People were in panic as only the bodies were returned, with no official statement from the authorities.”
Initially, there were various rumours—some believed the local water source (Baoli) was contaminated, others suspected slow poisoning or food poisoning. The local MLA urged the government to provide ambulances and emergency measures, but no action was taken.
“It was only when the death toll rose significantly that they intervened. Had the government acted sooner, I believe the number of deaths could have been much lower," he said.
Fear, Speculation, and Systemic Neglect
The lack of clear answers has deepened fears in Badhal. Many villagers are convinced that foul play or government neglect is to blame. Wajid Choudhary, a local social activist, described the chaos that unfolded:
"When the deaths started, fear spread across our village. Initially, we thought the first death was normal, but as the numbers grew, panic set in. Our entire village was put under quarantine, and transport remains restricted. At first, there were rumours that it was the Ebola virus—people started comparing symptoms. But we still don’t know what it is since the FSL reports haven’t arrived yet. Many villagers suspected slow poisoning."
The crisis has also underscored long-standing grievances about infrastructure and governance in Rajouri and the broader Pir Panjal region. Mohammad Aslam, a resident who lost six children, faced another blow when authorities seized ration supplies from both Badhal A and Badhal B villages. Together these twin villages comprise 3,000 people.
"Instead of helping, the government seized all ration supplies—not just from my family but from both villages. Later, they gave new ration kits to the people."
Delayed government response
“Authorities took action only after 17 deaths,” he says, elaborating how patients were airlifted, and 60 close-knit and inter-related families of affected people were shifted to quarantine centres in Rajouri.
Weeks later, they were shifted back to their respective homes in phases between February 13 and 19. The tragedy has also exposed severe shortcomings in the region’s healthcare system. Choudhary criticized the lack of basic medical facilities.
He elaborated, "Our local healthcare facility, meant to be a Sub-Health Centre (SHC), is staffed as a Primary Health Centre (PHC)—which shows the state of our healthcare system. The staff did their best, but they lacked resources. Samples were taken from the entire village, but the reports that have come back so far show nothing—no virus, nothing at all.”
Talking about the overall neglect of the entire Pir Panjal, Choudhary avers, “We are treated like second-class citizens. More than a million people live here, yet we don’t even have a single MRI machine or a functional forensic lab."
Prolonged Containment
“We have been in containment for over a month,” he said, with a tinge of worry. The area is still divided into three Containment zone, and Section 163 of BNSS, curtailing and restricting people’s movement, is still imposed in the area, severely impacting livelihoods."
Approximately 60% of the population in this area falls under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, 20% under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and the remaining 20% under the Above Poverty Line (APL) category.
Majority of people here rely on livestock and agriculture for their livelihood, while some travel abroad, particularly to Arab countries, to support their families.
However, the imposition of BNSS 163 led to the designation of this area as a Containment Zone, cutting off access to workplaces. Authorities sealed all entry and exit points, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the village. As a result, those who depended on local work opportunities to sustain their families suffer the most.
Choudhary says that for the 60 people who were quarantined in Rajouri for several weeks, the livelihoods were more severely impacted. “While they were away, there was no one to take care of their cattle and fields.”
All schools in the area were closed till last week but after the intervention of local politicians, the ZEO ordered the reopening of the schools this week.
Lack of clear answers and anxieties over impacted livelihood issues are making the villagers restive, triggering rumours and mutual suspicions.
Suspicions galore in absence of clear answers
Some villagers believe there may be human involvement behind the presence of neurotoxins, says Aijaz Ahmad Choudhary, a relative of one of the deceased. They are demanding a CBI inquiry.
“Some of us believe it is a case of property dispute,” he says and questions, “why is it that the mysterious illness ended as suddenly as it erupted?” After January 19, no further symptoms or illness has been reported in the area. “And thirteen people who died were from the same family,” he reminds.
However, police dismissed these allegations as assumptions of the general public and close relatives of the affected families. All eyes are now on the police, as SSP Rajouri had constituted an SIT committee when Aslam’s first child passed away.
Under the chairmanship of Wajahat Kazmi (SP Operations, Buddhal), and with other members including SHO Kandi, SHO Buddhal, SHO Rajouri, and SHO Woman Cell Rajouri, the SIT committee continues to investigate the case.
"Several people have been interrogated," sources in the village said. Yet, no concrete evidence has been found so far.
Political Repercussions and the Demand for Accountability
As public outrage grows, political leaders have started weighing in. Local BJP leader Ravinder Raina has accused the administration of brushing the issue under the carpet, calling for immediate intervention. Both the ruling party, National Conference, and the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have demanded an independent investigation, with some urging a CBI probe.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that the deaths were not due to infections but likely caused by toxins. He said, "the investigations are ongoing to identify the specific toxin involved."
The case has also drawn attention to the environmental and industrial risks in the region. Experts speculate that pesticide contamination, illegal waste dumping, or unregulated pharmaceutical disposal could be potential sources of the neurotoxins.
However, without conclusive forensic reports, speculation continues to fuel anxieties.
What are Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are substances that damage or disrupt the nervous system, causing a range of neurological effects. They can be found naturally in the environment, produced by certain organisms, or synthesized by humans.
Both the sources of neurotoxins and their potency or life span are extremely varied. It thus becomes difficult to resolve the puzzle of its presence or spread till the exact source is found.
Neurotoxins originate from a diverse array of sources in the environment, ranging from marine organisms, environmental contaminants including lead and mercury, plant-derived compounds, algae blooms, and even endogenously produced compounds.
The natural remediation of these toxins varies significantly based on their source and environmental context. While some contaminations, such as seasonal algal blooms producing cyanotoxins, may naturally dissipate as environmental conditions change, many environmental neurotoxins like heavy metals can persist for decades long after the original contamination source has been eliminated.
However, some contaminations, such as seasonal algal blooms producing cyanotoxins, may naturally dissipate as environmental conditions change.
An expert from a university's biotechnology department provided insights into man-made neurotoxins, explaining that some synthetic versions are engineered for higher potency or specificity, mimicking naturally occurring toxins like botulinum toxin or tetrodotoxin. These neurotoxins can be introduced into the body through various methods, including inhalation, ingestion, or direct injection.
He said that in ancient times, naturally produced neurotoxins were used for hunting and warfare. In modern times, farmers often use pesticides that contain neurotoxins but are not aware of this.
Unanswered Questions and the Road Ahead
For now, Badhal is a village in mourning—grappling not only with loss but with a deep sense of betrayal. The government’s delayed response, lack of clear communication, and failure to provide adequate medical facilities have only exacerbated the crisis.
While forensic teams continue their investigations, families demand more than just answers—they seek justice and systemic change. They are unsure whether this tragedy leads to lasting reforms or is buried under bureaucratic inertia.
But, as one of them said, “we will not let this story fade away without accountability. We need answers and better health infrastructure.”
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