Rajouri, March 20, 2025 – After weeks of isolation, 350 people from 70 families returned to their homes in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, on Thursday, following a quarantine period at the District Headquarters in Rajouri. The residents had been placed in containment zones since late January due to 17 mysterious deaths reported in the area since December 7, 2024.
The crisis began when the first cluster of deaths was reported in Badhaal, a remote village in the Kotranka Sub-division, sparking concerns over a potential outbreak. Initial suspicions pointed to food poisoning, prompting health and food safety teams to collect samples. However, as the death toll rose—claiming 13 children and 4 adults from three interrelated families—the administration declared the village a containment zone and shifted its population to quarantine centers in Rajouri town.
The returning villagers, who spent over a month in isolation at facilities including the Government Nursing College Building and Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, expressed mixed emotions. For many, like Mohammad Aslam—who lost six children to the illness—the homecoming was bittersweet. “We are grateful to be back, but the pain remains,” Aslam told local media, tears streaming down his face.
Investigations into the mysterious deaths have pointed to the presence of chlorfenapyr, a potent insecticide, in food and viscera samples, as confirmed by Minister Sakeena Itoo in a recent Assembly session. “The cause of illness and deaths in Badhaal is not due to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin,” Itoo stated, ruling out an epidemic. The CSIR’s Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) has identified chlorfenapyr—known for its high toxicity to humans, causing liver and nervous system damage—as the likely culprit behind the tragedy. Official toxicology reports, however, remain under review by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
The Badhaal deaths have drawn significant attention, with MLAs in the Assembly, including NC legislator Javed Choudhary, calling for a CBI probe. Some lawmakers have suggested a possible link to similar mysterious deaths in Billawar (Kathua) and Kulgam, where seven civilians have also perished under unclear circumstances. The government has urged patience, citing an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed on January 14, alongside an inter-ministerial team ordered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma oversaw the villagers’ return, ensuring they were provided with fresh ration kits and briefed on precautionary measures. “The decision to allow them back was made on expert advice, including guidelines from AIIMS-Delhi,” Sharma said. Continuous medical camps and counseling will remain available to Badhaal residents in the coming days, according to GMC Rajouri Principal AS Bhatia.
While no new cases have been reported since January 24, the lack of a conclusive public report has fueled anxiety among villagers and criticism from opposition leaders. BJP spokesperson Tahir Choudhary accused the government of “pushing the matter under the carpet,” demanding transparency for the affected families.
The return of the 350 residents marks a step toward normalcy for Badhaal, but questions linger over the exact circumstances of the 17 deaths. As the investigation continues, the village remains on edge, grappling with loss and an uncertain future.