Amid protests from human rights activists, the government has appointed acting Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Rukmangad Katawal to the post of CoAS of the Nepal Army.

The government had appointed Katawal as acting CoAS on August 14 after the current chief, General Pyar Jung Thapa, went on a traditional month-long leave before his retirement on September 9.

Katawal will formally take over the post after Thapa retires on September 9.

Tuesday’s meeting of the council of ministers took the decision to this effect.

Katawal is one of the generals interrogated by the High Level Probe Commission for his alleged role in atrocities during the People’s movement.

Likewise, Om Bikram Rana has been appointed Inspector General (IG) of Nepal Police, Basudev Oli as IG of Armed Police Forces and Dhansingh Karki as Chief of National Investigation Department. They had all been working as acting chiefs after the government suspended then chiefs of the security agencies on the recommendation of the high level committee formed to probe the atrocities committed to suppress the people’s movement.

The cabinet meeting has also decided to hold the high level talks with the Maoists soon to sort out differences between the government and the Maoists. However, the high level talks with the Maoists will held only after the talks between top leaders of the seven party alliance.

According to sources, the high level meeting will be held next week, after CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and President of Nepali Congress Democratic Sher Bahadur Deuba return from foreign visits. The duo is scheduled to embark on foreign visits soon.

The meeting discussed and criticized the Maoists for violating the agreements reached between the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is scheduled to meet Nepal and Deuba today to discuss the current political situation of the country and differences between the government and the Maoists.

The government will make public the cabinet decisions by holding a press meet on Wednesday.