Maoist supremo Prachanda who raised many hackles by saying that the Nepali Army had not anything to do other than to “murder Nepali people and rape Nepali women” since the Sugauli Treaty, has corrected his remarks.

Maoist supremo Prachanda

Maoist supremo Prachanda (File Photo)
“My comment was not meant for the entire army. Many lower rank army men and some Generals are also democratic. There are a few Generals who are involved in the killing of people and suppressing the people’s movement,” Prachanda said in an interview with the state-run Radio Nepal on Friday.

“A racket of a small number of army Generals that has been serving the interests of the feudalists is still active,” he argued.

Prachanda’s comment on the Nepali Army during his first public appearance after talks with the seven-party alliance (SPA) leaders including Prime Minister GP Koirala triggered controversy within the SPA government after the army refuted his remarks. Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli had come in defence of the army’s statement while most other ministers and SPA leaders had criticised the army reaction.

In his first interview to the state-run media, Prachanda, who is the supreme commander of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA), reiterated his position that both the Nepali Army and the PLA could be brought under a joint command after formation of an interim government.

The rebel chief also said the Maoists would immediately stop collecting donation as soon as their army gets a share of the government’s budget.

He also informed that the next round of ‘summit talks’ would take place within 2-4 days.