Health care suffers in J-K as prolonged strike and protests continue

Srinagar, June 7 (ANI): Patients in Jammu and Kashmir have been forced to do without essential and life-saving medicines on account of a prolonged shutdown and protests over the alleged rape and murder of two Muslim women by security forces at Shopian.

Patients coming to Srinagar said they were not getting essential medicines because of the strike.

"We are suffering, not getting essential medicines, so we are facing a lot of problems," said Bashir Ahmad, the relative of a patient.

The medical authorities, however said they are providing all services, especially emergency services, with minimal staff.

"We are trying that skeletal staff is there so that every section is open OPD some areas... like ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and emergency should run. So we are making all the efforts to get the employees to this hospital," Dr. Mir Nazir, the medical superintendent, the G B Pant Cantonment General Hospital. Residents of Sophians allege that two women were abducted, raped and killed by security forces on Friday.

The authorities have said the women drowned in a stream.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths. (ANI)