Jammu & Kashmir: DM Declared Badhal as Containment Zone, Imposes Section 163

Jammu & Kashmir: DM Declared Badhal as Containment Zone, Imposes Section 163

District Magistrate declared Badhal Rajouri as containment Zone. Imposes section 163

Badhal declared containment zone. Section 163 of BNSS ( earlier 144 CrPC) has been imposed in Badhaal by District Magistrate. Houses of affected families to be sealed. Entire area is divided in 3 zones. All public & private gatherings prohibited. More details to follow.

Meanwhile, Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (January 20, 2025) barred residents of Badhal village in Rajouri from drawing water from a local spring and cautioned against community feasts until the reason for 17 recent deaths in three families could be determined.

In another order, the residents of Badhal were advised to restrain from organising community feasts. “This ban on community feasts is extended and shall remain in force till further orders. The Tehsildar and the SHO shall ensure that no community feasts shall take place in the village in any form,” the order read.

Since December 7 last year, four waves of deaths have struck Badhal village and left 17, including 12 children, dead and at least 28 affected. Doctors claim that neurotoxins were causing these deaths but failed to detect any source for it so far. In spite of extensive testing, no definitive cause has been established.

Meanwhile, a high level inter-ministerial team visited Badhal village on Monday. The Ministry of Home Affairs constituted the team to ascertain the cause of death. The J&K government has also set up a special investigation team, which is maintaining a close vigil on the village and collecting clues to establish the cause of these deaths.