Kathmandu, March 11

Resham Chaudhary, the alleged mastermind behind the August 2015 Tikapur carnage, was admitted to Bir Hospital today.

Chaudhary was referred to Kathmandu by Seti Zonal Hospital where he had been receiving treatment after his health deteriorated due to prolonged hunger strike. He was flown in to Kathmandu yesterday. He was elected member of the House of Representatives from Kailali.

“He is receiving treatment and is recovering. We need some time to diagnose his health problem, but he does not seem to have any serious health complication,” said Dr Saroj Sharma, acting director at Bir Hospital. Chaudhary is receiving treatment at surgical ward as the hospital lacks bed in the medical unit.

Chaudhary had been staging fast-unto-death inside Kailali district prison, demanding withdrawal of charges against him and victory certificate for his election as HoR member. He had also been demanding that he be sworn in as HoR member.

The district prison had taken Chaudhary to Seti Zonal Hospital on Friday and again yesterday for health check-up after his blood pressure levels dropped alarmingly. However, as Chaudhary refused to undergo health check-up, the hospital referred him to Kathmandu

The prison administration had tried to end the hunger strike of 24 inmates, including Chaudhary, after members of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal presidium met Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa yesterday to draw his attention towards the demands raised by Chaudhary.

Chaudhary has also demanded that the area with predominantly Tharu population be declared Tharuhat province. Eight security personnel, including a two-year-old child were killed during the Tharuhat agitation in the district some two years ago. Chaudhary was the coordinator of the Tharuhat struggle committee when the incident took place.

Chaudhary along with 56 others face charges of murder, attempt to murder and robbery. Of the 56 accused, 24 including Chaudhary, had been sent to judicial custody at Kailali district prison while the others are at large.