Nepal govt seeks explanation from Army chief on 3 instances

Kathmandu, Apr 20: Nepal's government has served an ultimatum to the country's Army chief, asking him to explain within 24 hours why its directives on removing eight generals and halting recruitment in the army were ignored by him.

Information Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said a notice was issued today to Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal, seeking a clarification within 24 hours on army's recent recruitment, its hastiness in reinstating eight generals retired by the government and its decision not to participate in the National Games.

However, Mahara did not say how the government would respond if the order was ignored.

But, according to a military by-law, the government can relieve the Army chief from his position if the latter does not furnish clarification within 24 hours or if the government is not convinced with the clarification, the Nepal News said.

The move to issue the notice is being interpreted as an indication of government's intention to remove the army chief.

Katawal had called on Prachanda yesterday, amid growing differences between the government and military.

Relations between the Army Chief and the government have worsened after the army rejected the Maoists' plan to merge all former rebel combatants into the defence forces.

The relations got bitter after the army started recruitment of some 3,000 new soldiers and refused to retire eight generals from the job despite the government's pressure. PTI