Locals and traders halted the operation of government vehicles as part of their activism to express solidarity with Dr Govinda KC, who is on his 17th fast-unto-death demanding reform in the medical sector, in Dadeldhura, today.

Police intervening in a torch rally taken out by Civil Society, Dadeldhura, in support of Dr Govinda KC, in Bagkhor, on Sunday, November 10, 2019. Photo: THT

Local traders did not let government vehicles ply the roads in Baghkhor to support Dr KC, who has been staging a hunger strike for the past one week. Government vehicles were banned from plying the roads from 5:00am to 9:00pm. Only ambulance, vehicles belonging to police, administration were allowed to ply the roads.

Local people and traders enforced a bandh for two hours in Baghkhor in support of KC. Vehicles stayed off the road from 12 noon to 2:00pm while shops and businesses pulled down their shutters.

Vehicles en route to Tarai and various hilly districts were stranded on the way.

Civil Society Dadeldhura also took out a torch rally in support of KC in Baghkhor. A minor clash had erupted between locals and police personnel when the latter tried to intervene in the torch rally. No one, however, was injured.

Addressing a corner meet after the torch rally, Nepali Congress Dadeldhura President Karna Bahadur Malla said police intervention in the rally was unacceptable. He argued that Dr KC’s hunger strike was in the best interest of all people and the country.

Speaking at a press meet organised on the premises of Dadeldhura District Hospital, Dr KC expressed sorrow over the fact that the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had failed to address his demands though he had staged the hunger strike three times during Oli’s stint as prime minister. He accused the incumbent government of being arrogant with its two-thirds majority.

Meanwhile, Dadeldhura Hospital Acting Medical Director Jitendra Kandel advised KC’s supporters to take him to another place, stating that his health might deteriorate and he might need intensive care any time. Dr KC, however, said he would continue his strike in Dadeldhura.

A version of this article appears in print on November 11, 2019 of The Himalayan Times.