A mysterious illness has gripped Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, claiming 16 lives and affecting 38 others since early December 2024. Despite extensive efforts by medical experts and authorities, the cause of the disease remains unknown, prompting the Indian Army to step in and provide aid to affected residents.
The army has been supplying essential items, including food, water, and tents, to support the villagers. Expressing gratitude, a local resident, Md Bashir, said, “The army is providing us with rations, tents, food, water, and other necessities. Their support over the past 4-5 days has been crucial, and we are thankful for their help during these challenging times.”
Medical teams and state health officials have been conducting door-to-door surveillance in the village of Badhal, closely monitoring the situation. Residents, however, remain concerned. Ghulam Hussain shared, “The civil administration has been helping us for over 40-45 days, and now the army has joined in. While everyone, including the police and district administration, is cooperating, the root cause of this disease remains unclear. We need an in-depth investigation, as this has severely impacted three families and created fear among children.”
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary visited the affected areas to offer support and announced ex-gratia compensation for the families of the victims. Speaking to the media, he described the situation as “unfortunate” and emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis. “The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation. Ex-gratia has been given to the victims’ families, and the police are investigating to determine the cause of these tragic deaths,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s visit was accompanied by reassurances to the residents, with many expressing relief at the army’s arrival. “The army set up tents yesterday and provided us with food supplies. Their presence has given us much-needed support,” said Mohd Nahfeez. Another resident, Mohd Iqbal, added, “The army is doing an excellent job of helping us in this dire situation.”
Health officials, including ADC Kotranka, Dilmir Choudhary, stated that efforts have been ongoing since December. “Health teams are visiting homes, conducting surveillance, and monitoring the situation daily. Doctors are present and available, and there is no need for panic,” he said.
Despite support from organizations like PGIMER Chandigarh, the National Institute of Virology, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the cause of the illness remains elusive. Medical experts have urged residents to remain calm while investigations and monitoring continue.
As the community grapples with fear and uncertainty, the joint efforts of the army, civil administration, and health officials aim to provide relief and uncover the origins of this mysterious disease.
