Nepal Army Chief Rajendra Chhetri on Thursday described the current situation of the country as “very volatile, difficult and challenging”, and asked the institution to remain prepared to face “any eventuality”. Speaking at the annual meeting of senior officers comprising Brigadiers, Major General and Lt. Generals, Gen Chhetri said visible discontent of the Madhesi groups with the Constitution, increasing hiatus between the constitutional bodies and intense polarisation of politics has made the “execution of the Constitution” extremely difficult. “We must maintain a high degree of alertness and operational readiness”, he said, sending across a message, which analysts say is a response to the increasing demands from some political quarters that the “army must step in” to address the Himalayan nation’s political stability over the new statute. Watch What Else Is making News General Chhetri’s comments, which were reportedly based on the assessment of the commandants and senior officials, also seemingly contradicts the claim of political parties that “all is well in the country and that they are determined to implement the Constitution.” He was also critical of certain external donors and international NGOs who were involved in what he said was “instigating and defaming” the Nepalese army by “linking it with a certain religion and community”. Western donors working in the field of “security sector reforms” in partnership with Nepalese think-tanks and NGOs have questioned Nepal army’s “Hindu character” and have repeatedly demanded that the army is made more “inclusive”. The comments from the Army Chief come in the wake of the government announcing on Wednesday that it will table a Constitution amendment proposal in parliament within three days, with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” planning to split a province to meet the demands of agitating parties, including Madhesis. A tri-party meeting held on Wednesday morning among the ruling partners, the Madhesi Front and the Federal Alliance had agreed to amend table the proposal.-with PTI inputs
