Protests broke outside Srinagar's GB Pant hospital in Indian- controlled Kashmir Saturday after four more deaths were reported at the hospital, officials said.

Protestors with bodies of infants in arms blocked the vehicular traffic on the busy Srinagar-Jammu road for more than one hour. The irate people shouting slogans were demanding action against the "apathetic" hospital administration.

The overnight deaths took place at a time when the government is looking into the reasons behind the increasing infant deaths at the region's only pediatric hospital.

Media reports said the death toll has mounted to 377 since Jan. 1 this year.

Meanwhile authorities Saturday appointed Dr. Muneer Ahmad Masoodi, a retired professor as new superintendent of the hospital, and ordered transfers of several doctors and paramedical staff from the hospital.

Preliminary inquiry has found the hospital lacks manpower, equipment and overall management.

The local government is facing severe criticism from opposition, civil society and separatists over infant deaths in hospital.