Kathmandu, January 13

Dr Govinda KC, senior orthopaedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, ended his hunger strike on the sixth day today, drinking a glass of juice offered by Nathuniya Mochi, a cobbler by profession after signing a five-point pact with the government yesterday night.

The doctor, however, has warned of launching fresh protests if Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli doesn’t resign.

Dr KC had decided to end his hunger strike after the government team comprising Health Minister Deepak Bohara, Vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Swarnim Wagle, and CEO of National Reconstruction Authority Govinda Raj Pokharel signed the agreement at TUTH yesterday.

As per Dr KC’s demands, the  government has agreed to form a committee within seven days to give full shape to Medical Education Commission, 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 and provide financial assistance for reforms in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. It also states that 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 round of hunger strike on January 8 after the Supreme Court reinstated Dr Shashi Sharma as the dean of IoM. A division bench of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli and Justice Deepak Kumar Karki had issued the order on a petition filed by Dr Sharma. Dr KC objecting to the SC’s order had started his hunger strike demanding resignation of CJ Parajuli. 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. Police had arrested Dr KC on the same day after the Supreme Court’s order to arrest and produce him before the court.

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

The court had also ordered to procure the Supreme Court’s verdict delivered on a writ petition filed by Dr Sharma against the vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University and the prime minister.