Agitating inmates at Kailali District Prison, who are in judicial custody for their alleged involvement in 2015 Tikapur incident, ended their hunger strike on the ninth day on Monday, following a four-point agreement with the local administration. Chief District Officer (CDO) Govinda Rijal ended the strike of 23 accused by feeding them juice. 

The protesters called off the strike after reaching the agreement with the District Administration Office in an initiative of the political parties, Tharuhat leaders and officials of the National Human Rights Commission. Major political parties in Kailali had earlier issued a joint statement, demanding protection of life of the agitating inmates.

Lawmaker Resham Chaudhary, one of the main accused in the Tikapur incident, and 23 other co-accused had started the fast-unto-death in the district prison since March 4, demanding that Chaudhary be presented the election victory certificate and allowed to take oath of office and secrecy.

They also demanded the release of all 26 accused, including two minors, in Tikapur incident in which eight security personnel and a two-year-old child were killed violent protest in 2015. Chaudhary was airlifted to Kathmandu on Saturday after his health deteriorated. He is receiving treatment at Capital-based Bir Hospital.

“Some of the demands of the agitators cannot be addressed by the local administration. The deal was signed on condition of drawing attention of the concerned authorities about their demands,” said CDO Rijal.

As per the agreement reached on Monday, the local administration will soon write to the Office of the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and the Federal Parliament Secretariat to provide Chaudhary the poll victory certificate and take oath; take initiatives to release the Tikapur accused with due compensation within 15 days and inform the accused about the progress being made in the process of their release.

The protesters have warned that they would resume hunger strike if their demands were not addressed within two weeks.