Maoists have staged a massive show of strength in Kathmandu supporting Prachanda government’s controversial move to sack Army Chief Rukmangad Katwawal.
Around 2,500 cadres of several Maoist fronts marched through the capital Tuesday. Their demand: Sack Katawal. The army chief is accused of ‘disrespecting government’s instructions’.
Britain, the US, Norway and Sweden closed down their missions early for the day fearing that they might become the target of protesters.
The Maoists have been accusing India and the US amongst other countries of interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs by favouring the Army Chief.
Prime Minister Prachanda is under tremendous pressure from his Maoists to sack Katawal but is holding back the precipitate action as the army chief enjoys tremendous support from with in the armed forces.
Prachanda, who has cancelled a visit to Beijing in view of Katawal imbroglio, has held Nepal Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, his daughter Sujata Koirala, CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal and other senior leaders to break the impasse.
