The Nepali Army (NA) has taken a strong exception to the forceful inspection of its vehicles by the cadres of Maoists.

A day after Maoists stopped a convoy of army vehicles at Paurahi VDC of Rautahat district, the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of NA issued a statement raising strong objections to the obstacles created by the Maoists. The vehicles were ferrying foodstuffs, utensils and other necessary items from Kathmandu to barracks in eastern part of the country.

In the press statement issued on Friday, the DPR has said the “concerned side would have to bear responsibility if any untoward accident occurs due to such acts against the Nepali Army, which is carrying out its duty as per the orders given by the Nepal government.”

The statement adds that the attention of NA has been seriously drawn by such acts that aim at discouraging or adversely affecting the management, prestige and daily work of NA.

On Thursday, the Maoists had stopped the NA convoy at Paurahi VDC in Rautahat at 10:20 am even as they were headed to the eastern districts carrying goods from army headquarters in Kathmandu. The Maoists claimed that the vehicles were transporting weapons.

Some 40-50 Maoists combatants led by Maoist commissioner Avinas stopped the army convoy. The vehicles were allowed to move ahead after their inspection – which was carried out in presence of media persons and human rights activists – failed to locate any weapon.