KATHMANDU, Feb 28: A meeting of the high-level mechanism of the five ruling political parties formed to assist the government concluded that Nepal Army made a mistake by going ahead with its recruitment plans by ignoring the government´s order to stop it. [break]
The high-level mechanism that met at the prime minister’s official residence at Baluwatar Saturday morning decided to chalk out a common position over the dispute between the Defense Ministry and the Nepal Army over recruitment.
"The meeting reached a conclusion that the Nepal Army committed a serious mistake by not abiding by the government´s order to stop the army recruitment process," said Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a senior leader of the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) who briefed the waiting media.
It is for the first time all the ruling political parties have together pointed finger at the NA over the latest war of words between the NA and the Maoist-headed Defense ministry.
Shrestha said the parties would decide their next step once the Supreme Court, which had issued a stay order against the recruitment, rules on it. The hearing on a writ petition filed against the recruitment resumes Sunday.
Previously, two major coalition partners – the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) – had vocally supported the NA´s decision to continue with its recruitment.
Asked if the government would take action against army chief Rookmangud Katawal, Shrestha merely said: "The government will wait for the court´s decision first."
The NA has already taken in 2,884 recruits claiming that the recruitment was merely to fill the vacant posts. It has also argued that the recent recruitment process was a normal one and it doesn´t violate the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). The NA had already recruited twice after the Jana Andolan II and post-CPA.
Shrestha said the meeting discussed possible alternatives for the latest recruits. He declined to divulge details.
Palace massacre investigation recommending committee
The Saturday´s meeting also decided to form a committee to recommend further investigation on 2001 Narayanhiti Palace massacre. A probe commission would be formed as per the recommendation made by the committee. Prime Minister and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has already expressed commitment to probe the massacre in which royal members, including the then king Birendra, were shot dead.
The parties have agreed to form various commissions besides Local Development Committees (LDCs). The parties agreed to submit name of party members to Prime Minister to represent in the commission and the LDCs by Saturday evening.
"We will also include Nepali Congress in all those commissions and committees," Shrestha said.
Nepali Congress is the main opposition party in the parliament.
ghanashyam@myrepublica.com
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