Kathmandu, July 19

The National Human Rights Commission issued a press release today stating that its attention was drawn to the use of force by security personnel  at Jumla-based Karnali Academy of Health Sciences.

The NHRC stated that security personnel resorted to baton charge when supporters of Dr Govinda KC tried to prevent Karnali Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, provincial Law Minister Naresh Bhandari and security personnel from airlifting Dr KC to Kathmandu.

The rights body added that three doctors, one policeman, students and nurses were injured when clashes erupted at KAHS Karnali Health Sciences Academy between the security personnel and medical professionals/students.

The rights body said clashes at the hospital caused damage to hospital property, including health equipment and the incident also terrorised the patients undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The NHRC said that as soon as it learnt of use of force at the hospital, it issued order to the Government of Nepal through home secretary telling it to immediately stop use of force at the hospital.

Use of force and clashes in the hospital are condemnable acts, the NHRC said in its release.

“The NHRC urges the government to provide free and effective  treatment to doctors, students and police personnel injured in the incident and since violence and use of inappropriate force cannot protect human rights, the NHRC urges all to find a resolution to the issues through meaningful dialogue,” the rights body said in its release. It also drew the attention of medical professionals towards the difficulties that could be caused by strike in the health sector.

Security personnel had used force to airlift Dr KC, who had been staging hunger strike in Jumla for last 20 days, to Kathmandu.