Khotang, July 31 -- Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality in Khotang, has admitted to Bir Hospital on Wednesday night after his health deteriorated during an indefinite hunger strike.

Bhattarai had been on a peaceful protest for three days, demanding government action on a seven-point agenda focused on bamboo promotion. When his demands remained unmet, he resorted to an indefinite hunger strike starting Wednesday.

According to the municipality's spokesperson Dinesh Ghimire, Bhattarai is currently receiving treatment in the emergency ward.

Bhattarai's demands include incorporating bamboo into the national building code, promoting local materials, establishing small-scale household industries using bambo...