KATHMANDU: Education and Sports Ministry Secretary Chudamani Paudel has arrived in Dhangadhi to hold talks with Dr Govinda KC, as the government steps up efforts to end his hunger strike through dialogue.

The move follows a telephone conversation between Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel and Dr KC on Friday evening. According to the minister’s secretariat, Secretary Paudel was dispatched to facilitate negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.

In a further effort to break the deadlock, Prime Minister’s Health Advisor Dr JP Agrawal is also scheduled to travel to Dhangadhi on Sunday for discussions with Dr KC.

The government has intensified negotiations in an effort to resolve the hunger strike through consensus.