Rescued from grave, baby put on artificial breathing

Srinagar, Jan 2: A new-born male baby, who was rescued when his father was trying to bury him alive, continues to be on life-support system at G B Pant hospital here.

Medical Superintendent, G B Pant Hospital, Dr Kanwarjit Singh told The Kashmir Monitor that the baby is not stable and has been put on artificial breathing.

“He is under observation and we will see if he will recover,” Dr Singh said.

On Tuesday, a group of people caught hold of the infant’s father, Manzoor Ahmad Banyari, a resident of Check Shopian, while he was trying to bury the baby alive in Malkha (a local graveyard) at Nowhatta here.

Manzoor was handed over to the concerned police station and a case under relevant sections has been registered against him.

Police officials said Manzoor had approached a gravedigger in Malkha asking him to dig a grave for his infant baby, who, he claimed, had died late Monday afternoon.

As soon the gravedigger placed the infant inside the grave, the baby suddenly started screaming which caught the attention of the locals.

The baby, according to official sources, was born with a congenital disorder a few days back at Lal Ded hospital.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SP Pani on Wednesday said the police was investigating the matter.”

Secretary Social Welfare Department, Farooq Lone, said the Government will take care of the child.

“The Child Welfare Committee in Srinagar has taken cognizance of the incident. The child is presently undergoing treatment at GB Pant Hospital,” he said.