Restructuring of NA necessary in view of recent developments: Army chief Gurung

CoAS General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung

Chief of Army Staff, Chhatraman Singh Gurung has said restructuring of Nepal Army (NA) has become necessary as its current structure is out-dated.

Speaking at the meeting of the Legislature-Parliament's State Affairs Committee (SAC) on Sunday, the Army chief said the institutional structure of NA hasn't been reviewed since 1965 and is hence out-dated and ineffective.

"Restructuring as well as democratisation of Nepal Army is also necessary at a time when former Maoist combatants who have chosen integration are all set to join the Army," he said, informing that the strength of the national army, which stood at 18,000 in 1965, has now swelled to 90,000.

Restructuring of NA is also needed to ensure that NA develops into a modern professional army, Gurung said.

Also speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar informed that steps are being taken to restructure the Army so as to make it inclusive.

Commmittee members also stressed on the need to restructure the NA as per the broader security and defense policy of the country.

SAC had summoned Gurung and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar to start discussion over the restructuring of NA and steps that needs to be taken for democratisation of the army. nepalnews.com