The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) began a three-day general strike protesting against a decision taken seven months ago by President Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Although the CPN(UML)-led government requested the Maoists to withdraw the strike, the Maoists decided to go ahead with the strike.
Maoist party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” said the government had not show enough interest in addressing their demand to restore civilian supremacy, which they say was lost when Mr. Yadav reinstated General Katawal who they removed in May.
The issue of civilian supremacy has affected parliamentary works and the rifts among major political parties have deepened as no party has shown willingness to change their stance to end the political stalemate.