JOIN USThe former rebels also warned that they would launch a protest movement “from the streets and parliament” if the CPN-UML-led government fails to address their concerns.
The Maoists have been raising the demand for upholding “civilian supremacy” since its chief Prachanda had to quit as Prime Minister in May after President Ram Baran Yadav shot down his move to sack Army Chief General Rukmangad Katawal.
Civilian supremacy
Maoist central secretariat member Narayankaji Shrestha “Prakash” said the “ultimatum” issued by the CPN-Maoist to the coalition government expires on Wednesday and before that the prime minister should restore civilian supremacy over military.
Earlier, Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said the Maoists would launch protests if the government fails to act within three days. The former rebels will stage rallies, sit-ins, demonstrations and boycott all public events of the President and the Prime Minister, he said.
Maoist supremo Prachanda on Sunday gave a call for a “third people’s revolution” if civilian supremacy was not restored. He, however, said the movement will be peaceful.
Prachanda had a bitter row with the army chief over the issue of integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal army, which culminated with his failed bid to remove Katawal.
The army chief is retiring next month, but the Maoists were relentless in demanding his removal.
The Maoist Central Committee on Sunday decided that the party will hit the streets for maintaining “civilian supremacy and a Maoist-led national unity government.