Nepal cabinet overturns Army Chief's sacking order

Kathmandu, June 19 (ANI): Lawmakers of the CPN (UML) have criticised the Nepal cabinet decision to overturn the previous government's decision taken on March 3 to sack Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal and appoint Lieutenant General Kul Bahadur Khadka as the acting chief.

In a meeting held at the UML parliamentary party office in Singhadurbar here today, the disgruntled lawmakers said the government took the decision in haste and without seeking political consensus.

They also accused the government of concentrating more on reverting decisions of the former government rather than pursuing genuine agenda.

UML-led coalition, which had said it would not touch the army chief issue before the case is decided by the Supreme Court, took the decision on Thursday. The apex court is yet to give its verdict on the case.

Party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal were yet to answer the questions when this report was filed.

Meanwhile, the Unified CPN (Maoist) has slammed the government's decision to reinstate Kawatal.

Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that the action was against maintaining civilian supremacy and that his party would announce fresh stir against the move.

General Katawal was sacked by the Maoist-led government on March 3. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav blocked the erstwhile cabinet's decision by asking Katawal to remain in position.

Erstwhile Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' resigned the next day over the same issue, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)