Monday, January 5, 2009

Defence Minister takes exception to CoAS remarks, says Katawal might face action

The differences between Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangad Katawal have come to surface with Thapa accusing Katawal of giving political statement.

Speaking at the face-to-face programme organised by Maoist affiliated Revolutionary Journalists Association in Chitwan Monday, Minister Thapa said the government might take action against Katwal if he defies the government order to stop new recruitments in Nepal Army.

Saying that the law of the land does not allow army commander to make political statements, Thapa added that the army should act according to the directions by the government.

Referring to Katwal's statement on Sunday that new recruitments in NA would not stop, the Defence Minister said the government would initiate action against him soon. He further said Katawal's statement that attempts are being made to drag the politicise the army was objectionable.

He said the government would ask the army chief for clarification as to why new recruitments in NA cannot be stopped

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