The Nepal Army has clarified that soldiers were on the ground as an aid to the civilian authority as requested by the local administration.

The Directorate of Public Relations of the Army said in a statement that its movement in riot-affected zones in the Tarai should not be taken as its mobilisation. Clarifying that the recommendation of the National Security Council and the Cabinet to mobilise the Army is approved by the President as per Articles 144 and 145 of the Interim Constitution, the NA said its present move was only to maintain social harmony and to protect people’s lives.

The Army is supporting the civilian authority in a few districts as per the provision of Clause 6 of the Local Administration Act-1971 which authorises the local authority to seek its help when any region is declared a riot-affected zone, the NA said.

“Nepal Army is on the ground to help local administration maintain peace and harmony and to boost the morale of security forces affected by violence,” read the statement.

The clarification follows public debate over the use of the Army. A petition was filed on Wednesday at the Supreme Court demanding withdrawal of Army soldiers from districts identified as riot-affected.

The plea filed jointly by Advocates Roshan Kumar Jha and Yam Kumar Yonjan said the decision to mobilise the Army in Tikapur of Kailali, Gaur of Rautahat and Malangawa of Sarlahi violated people’s fundamental rights and disrupted the law and order situation.