Rights groups oppose Nepal's new army chief

KATHMANDU, Sep 6 (Reuters) Leading human rights groups in Nepal called on the multi-party government today to reverse the appointment of the new army chief, saying he was accused of rights abuses.

The demands came a day after the government formally named General Rukmangat Katuwal as the new chief of Nepal's 90,000-strong army.

Katuwal succeeds Pyar Jung Thapa who retires this month but has been on pre-retirement leave since August.

Katuwal is among more than 200 politicians, officials and army officers questioned by a panel probing the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests that forced King Gyanendra to end his absolute rule and restore democracy in April.

''We are opposed to his appointment because he was responsible for gross human rights violations,'' said Subodh Pyakurel, chairman of a leading rights group, Informal Service Sector Centre (INSEC).

''His appointment is not acceptable to us and it should be withdrawn by the government,'' Pyakurel told Reuters, speaking on behalf of eight leading Nepali rights groups.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 5,000 wounded when troops shot and beat pro-democracy protesters before the king relented and handed power to political parties.

Separately, 16 leading rights activists said they had urged United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to press the Nepali government to revoke Katuwal's appointment.

They also pressed him to stop using Nepali troops in U.N.

peacekeeping missions until allegations of abuses against Katuwal were probed.

REUTERS SSC BS1915