Former Koshi CM Karki starts fast unto death

Biratnagar, September 10 — Former Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Kedar Karki, has begun fast-unto-death in front of the Koshi Province Assembly, demanding nine specific actions. He is fasting near the gate of the Banaskhandi Mahadev temple, located in front of the Province Assembly.

The Morang District Administration Office had declared the area a restricted zone on Tuesday in order to thwart any attempt of strike by Karki.

Karki has been on hunger strike since 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Karki’s demands include the implementation of a free treatment program with specialized services for children under 10, a policy to prevent projects below 2.5 million from being included in the budget, the operation of the Shailaja Acharya Heart Disease Treatment Center and provision of incentive allowances for women health volunteers.

Additionally, his other demands include continuation of incentive programs for ghee and powdered milk exports, adequate funding for the Sunsari-Morang Kesalia corridor development, scholarships for agricultural and technical education students, and the creation of animal-friendly forests.

Karki claims that after his government was dissolved, a new government formed with the UML and Maoists made severe cuts to these public welfare and socialist programs in the budget presented by Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Ram Bahadur Magar.