Army Chief Gen Katawal sacked (BREAKING NEWS)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 3 May: Maoists unilaterally sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal defying presidential directive to act against him only through political consensus.
The move triggered a political crisis and will delay the peace process.
The move will also be an obstacle in drafting a constitution within the next 12 months.
The drafting schedule has been rescheduled several times as differences between extreme communists and other parties
Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka has been appointed acting chief, government Spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.
Katawal was charged by Maoists leading the government for defying civilian authority.
Prime Minister Prachanda said the explanation of the army chief for the charge of defying civilian authority wasn’t satisfactory.
CPN-UML, the largest coalition partner of the Maoists in government, walked out of the cabinet meeting but MJF said it will study the Maoist decision.
Gen Katawal hasn’t accepted the termination letter and is huddled in a meeting with top aides at army headquarters.
Nepali Congress meeting and CPN-UML have called an emergency meeting of their central committees.
Top Congress leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sushil Koirala met President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, who is also the supreme commander-in –chief of Nepal Army..
Katawal was charged for recruiting 9,000 plus recruits to fill in vacancies defying order of the defence minister; he also challenged in court another defence minister directive not to extend the tenure of eight brigadier generals.
The court supported the army.
Nepal Army withdrew from several events in the just concluded 8th national games after Prime Minister Prachanda at the last moment ordered the National Sports Council to permit PLA participation,
The move will also delay the integration and rehabilitation of 19,000 PLA combatants under observation by UN in 28 cantonments and satellite camps.
Main opposition Nepali Congress has already decided to come out on the streets against the Maoist decision.
Top Maoist leaders, including Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, had revealed foreign powers had pressurized the Maoist-led government not to dismiss Gen Katawal four months before his retirement.
Bhattarai also charged some sections were trying to impose presidential rule amid threats of a military coup.
The army had argued only President and Supreme Commander of Nepal Army Dr Yadav could dismiss the army chief.
Nepali Congress has charged Maoists for trying to impose dictatorial rule by destroying the army structure.
Maoists lead both the PLA and are attempting to reign in the army.
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Govt., Tharus to hold talks

Kathmandu, 3 May: Tharus decided Sunday to sit down for talks with government as their strike demanding de-linking from Madeshi group entered its 12 day Sunday.
The strike has crippled life in various parts of the country.
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