KATHMANDU: The talks between a government talks team and a team representing agitating senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Dr Govinda KC, ended without any decision on Sunday.

They, however, have agreed to continue the talks, according to Education Secretary Shanta Bahadur Shrestha, who had led the government's talks team.

But, the date for the next meeting has not been fixed yet.

According to Shrestha, both sides were positive on other issues except the demands to sack Tribhuvan University Vice-Chancellor Tirtha Khaniya and TU Institute of Medicine Dean Keshab Prasad Singh.

The talks were held for five hours at the Ministry of Education.

(Update at 7:40 pm)

Govt, Dr Govinda KC supporters hold talks in solution bid

KATHMANDU: A government talks team and a team representing agitating senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Dr Govinda KC, on Sunday began talks in a bid to end Dr KC's fast-unto-death.

Education Secretary Shanta Bahadur Shrestha and Health Secretary Dr Senendra Raj Upreti represent the government team whereas Dr KC is represented by a team led by Dr YP Singh, according to Dr Jiwan Kshetry, a close aide to Dr KC.

Dr Kshetry said the talks had begun at the Ministry of Education at around 12:30 pm today.

"In this very first hour," he told THT Online over phone, "We cannot be sure whether the talks would go positively."

Other members of the talks team from Dr KC's side include Dr Ranjan Sapkota and Dr Lijan Maharjan among others.

Just on Saturday, the government had formed the two-member talks team to solve the issue.

Dr KC on November 13 had begun the strike after the TU did not pay any heed to his ultimatum. Earlier, he had issued an ultimatum to appoint a dean at the Institute of Medicine on the basis of seniority, not the political power sharing.

Ignoring KC, the government had appointed Dr Keshav Prasad Singh to the top post, forcing Dr KC to begin the fast-unto-death for the 10th time in past few years.

Dr KC had also demanded that TU Vice-Chancellor Tirtha Khaniya be sacked as he tried to manipulate the appointment process.

Meanwhile, some supporters of Dr KC staged a protest in front of the Tribhuvan University Central Office gate in Kirtipur today, demanding Khaniya be sacked.