Action against CoAS depends on reply: Maoists

SOURCE: Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 21 - The ruling Unified CPN (Maoist) on Tuesday reached a conclusion that the government will decide on the nature of action against Chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal after looking at the latter's clarification letter.

The decision was made at a meeting of Maoist secretariat members at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar earlier today.

Accusing the army chief of defying several government orders, the Ministry of Defence yesterday had demanded clarification from Katawal.

The meeting asserted that the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) should give clarifications about its protest at the parliament since the major parties has already agreed to keep the Nepal Army (NA) under civil administration in order to democratise it after the second people's movement.

Saying that it was the right decision to ask for clarifications, the meeting has decided to free Katawal from the top NA post if he fails to furnish rational clarifications, sources said.

Also today, a meeting of 16 political parties including the CPN-UML, a key partner of the Maoist in the government, convened by the NC at its headquarters in Sanepa criticised the Maoists for intervening into the state bodies and trying to derail the peace process.

Meanwhile, the Unified CPN (Maoist) are taking out a rally in the capital to express support to the government decision.

Democracy and Class Struggle says it it interesting how the media both on the Internet and the published form are playing this story - basically ignoring the defiance of chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal of the elected civilian government and charging the Maoists with totalitarianism because they believe that the military should be under civilian control.

It is very important that the three issues that Katwal needs to clarify do not get buried in this campaign of disinformation that is currently underway.

Prime Minister Prachanda has informed the Nepal President of the letter to Army Chief and Army chief has responded today with clarification of his defiance of government.

The Army chief went ahead with the recruitment of some 3,000 personnel despite the government directive to freeze recruitment

The Army chief asked eight retired generals, whose case is sub judice in the Supreme Court, to continue in office

The Army chief ordered the Army boycott of the National Games to protest PLA participation – again in defiance of the directive from the prime minister, who is patron of the National Sports Council