KATHMANDU: Dr Govinda KC broke his 14th fast-unto-death protest this morning after signing a five-point agreement with the government.

Dr KC, the senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, broke his fast-unto-death protest with juice offered by Nathuniya Mochi, a cobbler by profession, who has been mending shoes in front of the hospital for 25 years.

As per the agreement worked out yesterday, the government will now form a committee within seven days to recommend to the concerned agency through the Chancellor of Tribhuvan University to give continuity to Dr Jagdish Prasad Agrawal as the Dean of Institute of Medicine (IoM). Health Minister Deepak Bohara, Vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission Swarnim Wagle, and CEO of National Reconstruction Authority Govinda Raj Pokharel were in the talks team.

Similarly, the Ministry of Health will provide financial assistance for reform in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. As per the agreement, the senate meeting of Tribhuvan University will be immediately called to make amendments to TU rules and regulations regarding the return of rights to IoM.

Dr KC had started his 14th hunger strike on January 8. Police had arrested him on the same day after the Supreme Court’s order to arrest and produce him before the court.

The apex court had issued an arrest warrant against Dr KC on a contempt of court case filed by SC section officer Netra Bandhu Poudel for allegedly making contemptuous remarks against the apex court.

The Supreme Court on January 10 had ordered the pre-trial release of Dr KC without bail, ordering to procure copies of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli’s two citizenship certificates, Judicial Council’s decision on his age controversy, and copies of his academic certificates.