Key points
- 17 people including 13 children have died in IIOJK’s Rajouri district
- Dr Amarjeet says findings show there are certain neurotoxins found
- Locals call for a thorough and transparent investigation
- Indian Army has faced criticism in the past for its actions in IIOJK
ISLAMABAD: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), investigations into the deaths of 17 people, including 13 children, in the Budhal area of Rajouri district have taken a surprising turn.
According to Kashmir Media Service, medical tests have ruled out illness as the cause of fatalities, instead pointing to toxins to be responsible for the deaths.
The water source supplying the affected population is currently under scrutiny, with suspicions raised that the water may have been poisoned.
Locals have raised concerns about the nearby Indian army camp, suggesting a possible connection, according to Kashmir Media Service.
They have pointed to the nearby Indian army camp, suggesting that the army, potentially under the influence of the ruling RSS-BJP establishment, could have intentionally contaminated the water supply.
Widespread concern
The theory suggests that the Indian army believed the water source might be used by freedom fighters, and in an effort to drive out the local population, they may have poisoned it, clearing the way for military operations in the area, according to the Kashmir media service.
What raises further suspicion is that authorities are denying the media free access to the area, preventing them from meeting the victim’s families and uncovering the facts.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, with locals calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. The Indian Army has faced criticism in the past for its actions in the territory, according to Kashmir Media Service.
According to BBC, the deaths occurred between 7 December and 19 January and the victims were members of three related families. Six of the children who died were siblings, with ages ranging from seven to 15 years, BBC reported. BBC reported, “A well has been sealed after a test sample showed it contained traces of pesticides.”
According to Anadolu news agency, Dr Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, principal of government medical college Rajouri, said, “We are yet to find out the actual cause of the deaths but so far as the postmortem reports are concerned, the findings show there are certain neurotoxins found.”
