Military experts warn of coup if RNA is not nationalized

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, May 8 - Various military experts Monday said that the country could face a military coup if the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) is not brought under the control of the House of Representatives.
They also stressed on converting the RNA into a National Army by bringing it under the authority of the House.

Speaking at a programme in the capital, military expert Indrajit Rai said that the political parties should workout a tangible step to convert the RNA.

"The RNA would have already been nationalized if the parties had performed their activities as per the people's wish in the past," said Rai.

He added that the parties should not delay in bringing the Army under the House.

Dr. Sanu Bhai Dangol, who served in the Royal Palace for a long period, said that "due to its grip on the army, the palace frequently hatched conspiracies in the past."

Cautioning the political parties on a possible military coup, Dangol said, "The army played a major role in hatching conspiracies in the royal palace."

Former Army General Dipta Prakash Shah said that the people would not be powerful unless the RNA is nationalized.

Saying that the present situation was due to the failure of the previous governments to nationalize the army, Shah said, "Even now the parties are sidelining the issue of the army, focusing only on the constituent assembly."

Speaking on the same occasion, UML leader and lawyer, Subash Nemwang said that the parties are doing intensive homework to bring the RNA under the House.

Posted on: 2006-05-08 06:06:28 (Server Time)