Dozens injured as police thrash supporters of Dr Kesi

Three policemen and dozens of protesters, including students and nurses, were injured today in a clash between security personnel and supporters of veteran medical professional Dr Govinda Kesi, who is on a fast-unto-death demanding reforms in Nepal's medical sector, according to media reports and officials.

The supporters were protesting the government's decision to airlift the civil society activist from Jumla-based Karnali Academy of Health Sciences to Kathmandu after his condition deteriorated due to the hunger strike, which entered 20th day today.

This is Dr Kesi's 15th hunger strike against the government's move to give permission to open new medical colleges in Kathmandu instead of remote areas in the Himalayan nation.

The 61-year-old medical professional is fighting for reforms in the medical sector of Nepal so that the benefit of healthcare can also reach poor people in remote areas.

Dozens of people were injured in the clash, the hospital sources said.

Meanwhile, a Nepal Army chopper airlifted Dr Kesi from the hospital to Kathmandu in afternoon. Soon after his landing, he was reportedly admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Hundreds of people staged protest in Kathmandu carrying banners in support of Dr Kesi and demanding that the government fulfil his demands related to the country's medical sector.