Maoist chief apologises for comment about Nepal Army

Bowing to criticism from political parties, Maoist chief Prachanda expressed regret for the remarks he made against the Nepal Army recently.

Bowing to criticism from political parties, Maoist chief Prachanda expressed regret for the remarks he made against the Nepal Army recently. ‘‘It was not meant to be a general remark. I feel sorry for the choice of words and the impression it gave,’’ Prachanda said in an interview to the state owned Nepal Television.

Army Headquarters had reacted sharply to a comment Prachanda made during a press conference at Prime Minister G P Koirala’s official residence. ‘‘What else has the army done all these days except misuse taxpayers’ money and rape women folk?’’ Prachanda had said.

Prachanda’s latest interview and the apology he offered coincided with visiting Communist Party of India (Marxist) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury extracting a concession from the insurgents on honouring the code of conduct and asking cadres to immediately cease their ‘‘People’s Courts’’ and extortion. Yechury had two rounds of separate meetings with Koirala and the Maoist top pair—Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, before returning to India on Sunday. Yechury’s visit came in the wake of India’s growing concern over the Nepal government’s concessions to the Maoists as well as the conduct of the extra-judicial People’s Courts. The CPI(M) leader is believed to have delivered a tough message to the Maoists that the onus of proving they are serious about the peace dialogue was on them.

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