An initial investigation in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district has found presence of pesticide residues in a nearby water reservoir that can possibly be linked to mysterious deaths of 17 people in the area. It is suspected that the victims consumed water from the reservoir, Indian Express quoted sources as saying in its report.
However, local authorities have not yet confirmed a direct link between the contaminated water and the deaths. The cause of the contamination also remains under investigation.
The victims, including 14 children, belonged to three families in the tribal-dominated village. To prevent further consumption of the potentially hazardous water, local authorities have ordered the water reservoir to be sealed, IE reported. “There is an apprehension that the tribal population may collect water from this spring stealthily,” the order stated.
A central inter-ministerial team, formed at the directive of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has been dispatched to the village to ascertain the exact cause of the deaths. The team comprises officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Health, Agriculture and Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Initial examinations of water samples collected from the area confirmed the presence of pesticides. Although neurotoxins, which can disrupt the nervous system, are considered a possible cause, a final conclusion has not been reached.
Earlier IE had reported that a central team ruled out the possibility of a viral or bacterial outbreak. The district administration has begun medical examinations of all villagers as a precautionary measure.
The tragedy, which occurred in three separate incidents over six weeks, drew national attention. Experts and surveillance teams continue to monitor for other potential outbreaks, although 3,500 samples from the region have tested negative for pathogens associated with diseases like dengue, dysentery and food-borne hepatitis.