Over a dozen babies have reportedly died in less than two days at the BC Roy Hospital for Children in Kolkata, triggering mass protests by relatives and locals.
The West Bengal government has ordered an urgent probe into the incident.
A PTI report has claimed that only 12 babies have died at the hospital, which is considered to be the largest referral paediatric hospital in the eastern region. Unconfirmed sources, however, maintain that 17 babies have died.
Superintendent of the hospital for children, D. Pal said most of the babies were either pre-mature or suffering from septicemia or low-birth weight problems.
"Most of these babies were brought in a moribund stage," he said.
"I have come to know that the babies were brought to the hospital at the last stage and that the cause of death was not enteric disease. I have ordered a probe and asked the authorities to submit a report to me," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, told reporters here.
Aggrieved over the deaths, family members and locals barged into the main building of the hospital alleging medical negligence.
The agitators also blocked the hospital road and were later chased away by policemen.
The superintendent also said: "There were some disturbances in the hospital compound in the morning, but the situation is normal now."
Earlier in September 2002, there were protests in the same hospital when 14 children died of broncho-pneumonia and gastro-enteritis.