KATHMANDU, Jan 5: Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said on Monday that his ministry has already sought clarification from Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal over his Sunday´s “controversial” remarks made in Nuwakot.
Minister Thapa told a press conference in Chitwan that the clarification letter is the beginning of “action against” the COAS for making “political remarks” and not stopping the ongoing recruitment in the Nepal Army (NA) against government instructions, according to journalist Chandani Hamal of Ujyalo News Network, who was present at the press conference.
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"A letter has already been sent to the COAS seeking clarification,” Thapa told journalists, according to Hamal. “Government action will follow the clarification the COAS submits.” [break]
Minister Thapa said any army or commander under the security agencies cannot make any political statement. “Their job is to follow the order of the people´s government.”
COAS Katawal speaking in Nuwakot on Sunday had appealed to all concerned not to drag the national army into controversy. His remarks have come in the wake of the controversy over the ongoing recruitment of 2,884 soldiers in the NA. Though the government has asked the NA to halt the recruitment, the NA says it will go ahead with it maintaining that the process had been started after prior government approval and was done according to the law.
Minister Thapa said the army should follow the government order without any condition. “The meaning of going against the order is to stand against the people and the nation,” said Thapa. “We have already given the order. The army should follow the order of the government and halt the recruitment process.”
“If it is not stopped,” he warned. “We will take action against those violating the government order as per the constitution. If we believe in the rule of law, those breaking the laws should be punished.”
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Minister Thapa said the army´s job is to heed the order of the people´s government. "All our statutes, laws and values have not given freedom to anyone to give political speeches and statements," he told journalists. "Therefore, any type of militarism should also be protested and people can´t tolerate it. No nation can tolerate militarism. That is terrorism."
