SRINAGAR: Residents of Gurez in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have launched a hunger strike demanding improved healthcare facilities, an inquiry into the recent deaths of a pregnant woman and her baby, and changes in the local administration.
The protesters have demanded the deployment of 4×4 ambulances in Bagtore, Tulail and Dawar, along with the permanent appointment of a gynaecologist and a radiologist at Gurez Hospital.
They have also called for the operation theatre and blood bank at the hospital to be made fully functional, citing the need for better access to essential medical services in the remote region.
The agitation follows the death of a 30-year-old pregnant woman, Haseena Begum, from Mazgund village in Tulail, and her stillborn baby on October 14, 2026. The protesters have sought a fair, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the deaths and demanded accountability if negligence is established.
The protesters have also called for a reshuffle of the Gurez administration, seeking action on what they describe as persistent healthcare and administrative issues affecting the region.
The demands centre on improving emergency medical services, ensuring the availability of specialist doctors and strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Gurez.
