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| Kathmandu Tuesday April 02, 2002 Chaitra 20, 2058. |
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PM ‘cautioned’ Gen.
Rana for his remarks
Post Report
KATHMANDU, April 1:Prime Minister Sher Bahadur
Deuba on Monday told the parliament that he had "cautioned" the Chief of Army
Staff for his comments given on Wednesday.
"The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) is an
apolitical organisation and its members should work by staying away from politics.
Realising the concern of the lawmakers due to the statement given by the army chief, I
have cautioned him."
The Prime Minister’s statement to the House
came after the ruling and opposition party lawmakers had stalled the House demanding his
reply to the "objectionable" statement of COAS, Gen. Prajwalla SJB Rana, blaming
the politicians of the sorry state of the country in the past 12 years. In the address to
military officers and guests at a graduation ceremony at Shivpuri, Rana had also alleged
that except the PM and a few young ministers no one was co-operating with the army in its
drive against the Maoists.
During his address, the PM also informed the
House of Representatives about the field visit to Maoist-hit districts for which he had
accompanied His Majesty King Gyanendra. Crown Prince Paras and the COAS Rana were also
with them. Saying that the security forces are today fighting a battle which is not easy,
even without the basic logistics, he called on all concerned to raise the morale of the
security forces.
Urging all to forget their differences and fight
the Maoists unitedly, he also called on everyone to work together to protect democracy.
Deuba also said that emergency has been imposed in the country to protect the Constitution
and democracy. He stressed that the government and the parliament are committed to
preserve the achievements of the 90s People’s Movement: the Constitution, the
multi-party system and Constitutional Monarchy.
With the PM’s statement, the Parliament
that had been plagued by walkouts and no business since last Tuesday, proceeded with its
normal business today.
Reacting to the PM’s reply on the COAS
statement, some lawmakers of the CPN-UML said it was loaded with serious ethical questions
for Gen. Rana. "It is a serious question of ethics. How the COAS takes it is another
matter but no one can lose sight of the fact that the PM reacted to his statement on the
floor of the House," said Gokarna Bista, a UML lawmaker.
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