NHRC asks J&K to explain infant deaths

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday sought a report from the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government over the death of four infants at a Srinagar hospital.

The deaths were reported from G.B. Pant Hospital between May 2 and 3.

"The commission has observed that given the circumstances, it would like to have a complete report about the conditions in G.B. Pant Hospital, Srinagar," an NHRC official said.

NHRC observed that media reports had also alleged that there have been several hundred infant casualties in the first half of 2012 in the main childcare facility of the same hospital.

Nearly 4,000 children were reported to have died during the last four years in the hospital, the rights body noted.

According to media reports, the deaths were caused due to an alleged snag in the oxygen concentrator system as a result of power fluctuation.

However, authorities claimed that the infants were suffering from various ailments, NHRC said.