Nepal Army (NA) has been keeping tabs on protest programmes being unlashed by Unified CPN (Maoist) to restore ‘civilian supremacy’ in the country, reports Kantipur daily.
As per the direction of defense minister Bidhya Bhandari, the NA kept tight vigilance on the program of picketing of Singha Durbar carried out by formal rebels as part of their agitation on Thursday.
"Of course, the defense ministry has instructed the NA to cautiously watch the protest programmes of the Maoists," the report quoted Subash Devkota, press advisor of the minister, as saying.
Minister Bhandari issued the instruction to this effect following the cabinet meeting of November 3 attended by assistant ministers, chiefs of all security organs and other related officials.
On Wednesday, a day before the Maoists launched their Singha Durbar siege program, Bhandari met with army chief Chattraman Singh Gurung, defense secretary Navin Ghimire and other top NA brass and directed them to keep tabs on Maoists' agitation.
It s learnt that DMI, intelligence arm of NA, has been mobilized to acquire sensitive information regarding the Maoists' agitation.
"NA is ready to counter any situation as per the direction of the government," a source quoted a high-paced army official as saying.
The unanimous army official reportedly added the government should address such constitutional provision that bars the NA from deploying itself.
A large number of security personnel from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were deployed during yesterday's Singha Durbar picketing program.
The NA was specially deployed in every entry and exit point of Singha Durbar, the administrative hub of the country. nepalnews.com

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