Kathmandu, August 12

The Cabinet of Karnali Province today formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the damage caused to the infrastructure of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences during the 15th fast-unto-death of senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC.

On July 19, Dr KC was forcibly airlifted to Kathmandu from Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, where he was staging a fast-unto-death. While airlifting Dr KC, students, doctors, nurses, police officers and locals of Karnali were injured and infrastructure of the hospital was badly damaged.

The Cabinet has directed the committee to prepare a report and make recommendations within a week.

According to the Minister for Social Development Dala Rawal, during the incident, students, hospital staffers and administration had not allowed police and government representatives to enter the hospital. “Even the chief minister of the Karnali Province was not allowed to enter the hospital. Government representatives and police were trying to save Dr KC’s life. But the supporters of Dr KC tried to stop them, which resulted in a clash between Dr KC’s supporters and police,” said Rawal.

He also said Karnali Academy of Health Sciences was the wealth of the province. “We have formed the probe committee to punish people involved in damaging hospital infrastructure,” said Rawal.

Rawal also told The Himalayan Times that the report submitted by the probe committee would be sent to the federal government for final decision.