Kathmandu, December 31

Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC has threatened to launch his 16th hunger strike from tomorrow if the government fails to meet his demands.

Dr KC has been demanding that the National Medical Education Bill be passed as soon as possible. His other demands include action against 43 officials of Tribhuvan University as per the recommendation of the high level National Medical Education Commission led by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. Earlier, organising a press meet on November 26, Dr KC had given 21 days ultimatum to the government to fulfil his demands. But Dr KC, on December 16, extended the time till January 1 after the Parliamentary Panel of Education and Health Committee requested him to provide some time to take the bill ahead.

Education and Health Sub-committee is handing over the National Medical Education Bill to the Education and Health Committee tomorrow. Then, the committee will present the bill in the Parliament.

In addition, Dr KC has demanded that action be taken against culprit(s) involved in the rape and murder of Nirmala Panta. Likewise, the demand also states that a case of criminal offence be lodged against persons involved in destroying evidence, creating false evidence, torturing and opening fire at people demanding justice in Nirmala’s case.

Dr KC has also demanded action against officials of Kathmandu University, who were involved in the decision to increase the cost of education. The hike in cost of education was determined by Kathmandu University against the decision of the government.