Army chief faces 'grilling' after returning from UK

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has reportedly sought clarification from Nepal Army chief Rukumangad Katuwal regarding the deputation of soldiers of Ranger Force of NA for the security of Maoist ministers.

During their meeting at Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar Tuesday morning, army chief Katuwal also briefed PM Koirala about his recent UK visit and apprised him of other security matters including army’s activities, reports say.

The NA headquarters, however, said that the army chief had gone to Baluwatar for a ‘routine meeting’.

Earlier, in his meeting with Maoist ministers, PM Koirala had promised that he would personally ask the army chief on the sudden decision of NA to depute soldiers of the Bhairabnath battalion or ranger force for the personal security of the Maoist ministers.

Maoist ministers had expressed worries about their personal security following the episode and had even threatened to pull out of the government suspecting ‘conspiracy’ against them. nepalnews.com ag July 31 07