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Monday, May 04, 2009
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Nepal Army chief sacked

Prerana Marasini

CPN (UML) withdraws its support to the government

PHOTO: AP

Rallies IN kathmandu: Supporters of Nepal’s Opposition parties take to the streets in Kathmandu on Sunday protesting against the sacking of the Army chief, Rookmangud Katawal. Maoists too held a victory rally in the Capital in support of the government’s decision. —

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Maoist-led government has finally removed the Chief of the Army Staff, General Rookmangud Katawal, triggering widespread criticism. The major coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), has withdrawn support to the government.

Two weeks ago, the government asked for a clarification from General Katawal saying he violated its orders on three issues — recruitment in the Nepal Army, extension of eight Army brigadiers’ tenure, and the Army’s withdrawal from six events in which it had to play against the People’s Liberation Army (the Maoists’ Army) in the Fifth National Games. The government felt that the Army Chief disregarded civilian supremacy and challenged the Maoist-led government. The Defence Ministry gave General Katawal 24 hours to clarify.

Two weeks later, the government concluded that the clarification General Katawal submitted was not satisfactory and a Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to sack him.

Government spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara told reporters that “Until an arrangement is made, General Kul Bahadur Khadka will work as acting Army Chief.”

Rookmangud Katawal

The Cabinet meeting was boycotted by several parties, including the CPN-UML, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and the Sadbhavana Party Nepal, supporters of the coalition government that formed in August last year, saying it was the Maoists’ decision alone.

Later, the UML’s central committee meeting decided to pull out from the government. Party general secretary Ishwor Pokharel said the government did not work as per the common minimum programme.After the government decided to remove General Katawal, fears of a coup gripped the capital. Security forces were kept on high alert. Protests were held in several areas against the decision. The Maoists held a victory rally.

An all-party meeting called by the main Opposition, the Nepali Congress, flayed the government’s decision.

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