The Nepal cauldron8230;

When the Maoist government in Nepal handed over a showcause notice to Nepal Army Chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal seeking his removal on three counts,Delhi went into top diplomatic gear. India clearly did not approve of Prachandas decision,but the issue had to be handled democratically given all that Nepal has been through. Gen Katawal is entitled to reply to the notice and he was advised to do so. Being an alumnus of the National Defence Academy,Khadakwasla,and the Indian Military Academy,Dehradun,Gen Katawal has close contacts with Indias top military brass. While the National Security Advisor NSA monitored the situation personally,Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor is learnt to have been in direct touch with Gen Katawal in the crucial 24 hours that saw a detailed reply being sent to the Government. Insiders said each point was carefully analysed and refuted. The Nepal cabinet will now meet to consider the reply. The meeting has been postponed twice already.