IIOJK: Shutdown, protests in Gurez over deaths of pregnant woman, baby
Protesters blame administrative and medical negligence for tragedy
Srinagar: A shutdown was observed in Gurez town of Bandipora district in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Wednesday as residents staged a protest over the deaths of a pregnant woman and her baby, blaming administrative and medical negligence.Markets in Dawar, the main town of Gurez, remained closed as residents blocked roads, shut shops and staged a sit-in to protest the deaths.
The protesters raised slogans against the local administration, particularly Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gurez, stating that restrictions on movement had delayed the woman’s transfer to a better-equipped hospital despite her critical condition.
The deceased, Haseen Bagem, was a resident of Mazgund village in Tulail. She developed complications during pregnancy and was taken to District Hospital Bandipora on Wednesday morning. Her baby was stillborn, while she died during the transfer from Sub-District Hospital Dawar to the district hospital.
According to reports, Bagem was taken to a primary health centre in Sheikhpora late Tuesday evening, but no medical staff was available there. She was subsequently taken to Sub-District Hospital Dawar, where doctors advised that she be shifted to Bandipora for further treatment.
Block Medical Officer Gurez, Dr Feroz Iqbal, said medical authorities had contacted the administration in time but were not allowed to transfer the patient to Bandipora promptly.
Meanwhile, the woman’s relatives, who joined the protest in Dawar, alleged medical negligence and questioned why the blood bank facility available at the primary health centre had not been utilised. The family also said that no doctor was present at the centre when Bagem needed medical attention and demanded action against the staff concerned.
Development claims under scrutiny
The tragedy has raised fresh questions about the BJP-led Indian government’s claims of unprecedented development in IIOJK since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The deaths of a pregnant woman and her baby amid allegations of staff shortages and delays in emergency medical care have highlighted concerns over access to even basic healthcare facilities, particularly in remote areas. The incident underscores the gap between official claims of progress and the challenges ordinary Kashmiris continue to face in accessing essential services.
