Army might be mobilised if Maoist protests turn violent: govt
As the Maoists prepare for a massive show of strength in Nepal, the government has said it would not hesitate to mobilise the Army if the anti- government agitation went out of hand.
As the Maoists prepare for a massive show of strength in Nepal, the government has said it would not hesitate to mobilise the Army if the anti- government agitation went out of hand.
Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel, who is also the government's spokesman, said all security agencies, including the Nepalese Army, would be put into action if peace is disturbed and rule of law is violated during the agitation.
"Army can be mobilised if Nepal Police and Armed Police Force fail to control violent demonstrations," he said yesterday talking to scribes at a function organised by a journalists' group in Sunsari district of eastern Nepal, the National News Agency (RSS) reported.
He said the government will not remain silent if the peace was disturbed and the Maoists tried to create anarchy and termed the Maoists' agitation as a plot to obstruct the process of drafting the constitution.
"The government will mobilise all security agencies to maintain law and order in the country and if the situation goes out of control, then situation may arise to mobilise the army," he said.
The Minister accused the Maoists of hatching various conspiracies to obstruct the promulgation of the new constitution and said, "This is one of them".
Pokharel, however, said the government is still making attempts to forge a consensus among the political parties to resolve the current political crisis.
He also accused the Maoists for breaching the Comprehensive Peace Accord by unilaterally announcing an agitation to topple the government.
Pokharel's comments came as an indefinite strike launched by the pro-Maoist student union entered its fourth day today.
Some 8,000 private schools have been shut down across the country by the union, which is protesting a fee hike, affecting 1.5 million students.
The business people in the country have also accused the Maoist cadres of forcing them to pay hefty donations.