KATHMANDU, JUNE 1

Founder of Bibeksheel campaign and former co-coordinator of Bibeksheel Sajha Party Ujwal Thapa has passed away. He breathed his last today at 4:25 pm, in Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur.

He was 44.

Thapa's health had deteriorated after he contracted Covid-19 and had been put on ventilator support for treatment. He was recently transferred to Mediciti Hospital for ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) treatment from Grande International Hospital.

His friends confirmed the news of his passing away on social media.

Thapa's family has wished to perform a simple funeral in attendance of a very few people and as such has appealed to people to extend their condolences remotely.

Friends and well-wishers of Thapa had set up a public donation drive to cover the medical expenses incurred during hospital treatment.

'Health condition of Ujwal Thapa has depleted significantly since this morning. The professional team of expert doctors and surgeons at Medicity are doing their best 24/7 to ensure his recovery. He is still undergoing the ECMO treatment. While respecting the families request for patient's privacy, other details cannot be shared at the moment,' his supporters, friends had shared across several social networking sites on Saturday. The collection drive was stopped on the same day.

On Monday, his supporters had shared that despite testing negative for Covid-19, his health had further deteriorated.

Ujwal Thapa was known to be among the first people to sow the seeds of alternative politics in Nepal. Known for his unique campaigning styles, Thapa can be largely credited for the new wave of non-violent, peaceful and creative protesting 'styles' that can be seen across urban centres of the country of late. He was known to be a fierce campaigner against corruption and was a staunch supporter of Dr Govinda KC in his fight against against irregularities in the medical sector.

Earlier, Executive Director of B&C medical college Durga Prasain, a controversial figure, had announced that he would assist Thapa with all the treatment expenses. However, his proposal was flatly refused by the Bibeksheel leader's kin as they had stated that they had collected a significant amount of funds through public donation.