Shopian, Jan 05: Amid heavy snowfall and uncleared roads, a woman gave birth to a baby on a make-shift stretcher when she was being taken to a hospital in Keller belt of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Locals from Zrakan village of Keller said that amid heavy snowfall and uncleared roads, a woman namely Akhter Jan, wife of Papa Poswal of Zrakan Keller gave birth to a baby on a make-shift stretcher on way to the hospital.

Choudhary Showkat Shabir, a local activist said that after lady developed a labour pain, locals put efforts to take her to SDH Keller, which is around 10 kms from Zrakan village.

However, the lady gave birth to a baby on make-shift stretcher before reaching hospital and now condition of both baby and mother is stable at SDH Keller, he said.

He said “you can see the plight and sufferings of Gujjar Bakerwal community and due to uncleared road, woman gave birth to a baby on make-shift stretcher.”

He requested authorities to clear the roads in their area so that they could heave a sigh of relief.

Locals said that authorities have failed to clear the road despite repeated requests that they have to take a pregnant lady to hospital. They appealed authorities to look into the matter and clear the roads at an earliest—(KNO)