Speaking at the inauguration of the Rastrabadi Samyukta Morcha party´s zonal conference here, Katawal claimed that the proposal on “so-called” democratization within the security agencies was vague in itself.[break]
“What does it mean to democratize?” he questioned. “Why are people talking about democratization when the security agencies are just following the government´s directives.”
A six-member committee led by Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari had submitted action plans to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in August for the democratization of the Nepal Army (NA).
At the function attended by plenty of pro-monarchists, Katawal repeatedly said that he was a retired general of the NA after the organizers addressed him as an incumbent general.
Although he claimed that he had not attended the function to support any ideological line and criticize others, Katawal turned soft toward monarchy and criticized the political parties.
He said the political parties had failed to take the country toward the right direction; therefore the nation was in search of a new leader.
“The country is in need of an honest person who is ready to sacrifice blood, sweat and tears and only such a person will be able to build an integrated nation,” he said.
Stating that it was unfortunate to see the Maoist ex-combatants still inside the cantonments even four years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Katawal expressed the view that youths in the cantonments should be freed.
“Some of them may opt to go abroad while others may choose to return to their homes or join the Nepal Army. But, currently, they are leading a life of detainees,” he said.
Prior to the function, pro-monarchists and "nationalist people" had staged demonstrations in Birgunj. The participants chanted “stop violence and reinstate monarchy.”
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