Hyderabad, Jan. 24 -- 17 people, including 11 children in Budhal village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri have succumbed to a mysterious illness since December 8, with the last death occurring on January 17.

The district magistrate of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri earlier this week declared the village of Budhal as a containment zone following the deaths since December last year. Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been enacted in the area prohibiting all public and private gatherings due to health concerns.

Houses of affected families have been sealed. The entire area has been divided into three zones for efficient management and designated officials have been tasked with monitoring the preparation and distribution...