BIRATNAGAR: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Ishwar Pokhrel, has refuted reports that the government resorted to firing while taking Dr Govinda KC from Jumla to Kathmandu.

Talking to mediapersons at Biratnagar Airport today, the Minister said, government took Dr KC to Kathmandu for medical treatment so as to save his life, adding that the government was committed to addressing basic needs of the people like health and education.

It may be noted that the senior orthopedic surgeon, who has entered the 22nd day of fast unto death protesting against the government for introducing the new Medical Education Bill with some changes to its original form, was airlifted to Kathmandu from Jumla on Thursday.

According to the Minister, demand for presenting the Bill introduced by the erstwhile government was not appropriate. He further described the main opposition party's move to prevent the government from tabling the Bill in the House as 'autocratic'.

Likewise, he was of the view that the Bill should be brought to the parliament for discussions to find a way for sorting out disputes concerning it.

"The government is all open to hold discussions regarding the Bill," he said, underlining the need of seeking a solution to the issue through due process.

In his response to queries of journalists, Minister Pokhrel said demands of Dr KC were for the welfare of the people, but efforts to prevent him from sitting for talks with the government were guided by a totalitarian mindset.

He further insisted on keeping Dr KC's move away from political interests and addressing weakness in the Bill through a democratic way.