Nepalese government asks army to keep mum
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, June 24, IRNA
Nepal-Govt-Army
Ministry of Defense has asked the Nepali Army (NA) not to speak on any political and policy issues, after the army's objection to Maoist leader Prachanda's last week remarks was questioned by the political field.
"The ministry directs the Nepali Army not to issue any press release, refute any remark and hold press meet except in military functions, trainings and exercises," Kantipur reports from Kathmandu quoting defence ministry sources.
Ministry spokesperson Bhupendra Poudel refused to comment on the letter but revealed that the ministry has asked the army not to speak about policy issues. "Government itself will deal and has been dealing with such issues," he said, without referring to the latest directive.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling seven party alliance also showed concern over the army's objection to Maoist leader Prachanda's remarks on the Nepali Army.
"But the issue arose in general during discussion on other topics," said Ram Chandra Poudel, general secretary of Nepali Congress.
Army officials, however, said their objection to Prachanda's remarks were natural as the top rebel leader blamed the entire institution inside the residence of head of the government but the government did not object.
Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Prachanda speaking at a function in Attariya in Kailali on Friday said he could not understand the intention of the Nepali Army (NA) in denouncing his comment on the NA.
Addressing a press meet in Attariya, Prachanda said he smelled a rat as the NA publicly expressed its dissatisfaction over his comment a week after he made it. "It indicates that something is being hatched behind the curtain," he said.
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