Kathmandu, April 20: Amid reports that Nepal's Army
chief has been asked to quit, the Maoist-led government has
sought clarifications from him over a number of issues,
including extending the tenure of eight army generals and new
recruitment in the forces.
Army Chief Rukmangad Katawal called on Prime Minister
Prachanda yesterday, amid growing differences between the
government and military over key issues including integration
of Maoist combatants into the army and new recruitments.
However, the PM's press advisor Om Sharma dismissed
media reports that the Army chief was asked to quit, saying
the meeting was a "routine affair".
He said the security situation in the country and the
issue of army integration mainly figured during the meeting,
and dismissed speculation that the Prime Minister had asked
Katawal to quit.
"It was a normal and routine meeting and any such issue
did not figure," Sharma told.
Nepal Army's spokesman Ramindra Chhetri also said that
Katawal's meeting with Prachanda was a normal one. He,
however, did not give any details.
However, the Nepal News said today that Katawal had been
asked to quit by the Prime Minister, who offered to appoint
him as an ambassador or the security advisor to the PM if he
quits voluntarily.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, April 20, 2009, 00:00