Minister for Defence Ram Bahadur Thapa on Sunday accused the Nepal Army (NA) of trying to intimidate him in a manner reminiscent of Panchayati days, but said he is not scared and hence will not back down.

“I am not the one who gets intimidated by any army chief,” he said speaking at a programme organized in Tamghas of his home district Gulmi, adding, “I am not scared of these intimidations and so will not back down.”

Stating that the army used to intimidate people’s representatives in similar manner during the Panchayat days, the Maoist minister said the current army chief is just giving continuity to that modus operandi.

He also expressed regret over the inability of the army to democratize itself, warning that the army chief will be held accountable and entitled to action from the government elected by the people.

Minister Thapa has been in a verbal duel with the Chief of Army Staff Rukumangad Katuwal since the controversy over army recruitment surfaced few months back and which was immediately followed by the government refusing to extend the term of eight army generals. The two episodes have only worked to further widen the deep rift between the Ministry of Defense and Nepal Army and put the two institutions increasingly at loggerheads.

NA Division Chiefs meet in Kathmandu

The Division Chiefs of Nepal Army (NA) met in Kathmandu Sunday to discuss, as what they have stated, “rapidly changing geo-political situation” of the country including other pressing military matters.

Chief of Army Staff General Rukmangad Katuwal inaugurated the two-day conference at the NA Headquarters in Bhadrakali today.

On the first day of the conference, the NA Division Chiefs participating from five development regions are scheduled to present papers highlighting military activities and other important events that took place in their respective region and hold discussion on it.

On the second day, the conference will focus entirely on the changing geo-political situation of the country and decide on the strategy the army should adopt in the coming days to meet the fresh challenges it will bring.

Although observers say that the conference holds special significance especially at a time when the government and the army are increasingly at odds with each other over several issues, the NA has said it is a routine meeting.

In the past, the Defense Minister and the Defense Secretary used to get invitation from the army to attend the conference. However, this time none were invited. nepalnews.com Apr 12 09