Protests rock Srinagar after 36 babies died at Govt hospital within two weeks

There were massive protests in Srinagar today over the alarming number of infant deaths. Another baby died today at the State-run GB Pant Hospital in Srinagar, taking the number of infant deaths in the State in the last two weeks to 36. According to Medical Education Minister RS Chib, a total of 358 children have died at the hospital since January 1 this year. The State government has ordered an investigation into the matter. The investigation panel will be headed by Showkat Ali Zargar, who is the director of the prestigious Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura (SKIMS). Mr Zargar has been asked to submit his report within a week. Leading the protests against the government outside the GB Pant Hospital today was Engineer Rashid, an Independent MLA from north Kashmir's Langate constituency. Mr Rashid slammed the government over alleged lack of basic amenities at the hospital and urged the Chief Minister to intervene. Minister RS Chib has said that the probe will find out if negligence on behalf of the officials of the hospital led to the deaths. He has also assured help on behalf of the State government. culled from NDTV