Army chief absent in high level commission

Kathmandu, July 31 (UNI) Nepalese Army Chief General Pyar Jung Thapa was conspicuous by his absence at the office of the High Level Probe Commission formed to investigate the atrocities committed by security forces during the anti-king movement in April.

''Thapa could not come to the commission's office to record his statement today owing to his pre-scheduled visit to Pokhara,'' a local media reported quoting a fax message sent to the commission through the defence ministry.

General Thapa was the commander of the unified command of the security forces during the movement that forced King Gyanendra to give up his absolute rule and reinstate the parliament.

The commission had recommended to the government to suspend Thapa along with IGPs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and chief of Department of Investigation.

IGPs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and Investigation department chief were suspended, however, Thapa remained in the post.

Meanwhile, the government has formed a five member commission to investigate the atrocities by an army captain on three policemen including a police inspector in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Over a three dozen army soldiers led by a drunken army officer had detained three policemen including an inspector and beat them in the army barrack.

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