Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Thursday made it clear that the present political crisis over the demarcation of federal units would be resolved politically.

In a meeting with President Ram Baran Yadav, where matters related to the tensions growing in various parts of the country were discussed, Koirala refuted charges that the Army was mobilised to contain the protests.

“I am dealing with the crisis at the political level; military deployment is no solution. I have dispatched letters to several disgruntled factions for talks and there are positive indications,” the PM told the President, according to one of Koirala’s aides.

“The role of Nepal Army is to assist other security agencies in coordination with the chief district officer which should not be construed as Army mobilisation,” Koirala clarified to the President.

While briefing Parliament on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam said the Army had been deployed to contain the mob in Tikapur, Kailali, after eight people, including seven security personnel were killed.

Expressing concerns over Gautam’s statement, the President asked the PM to clarify whether the move was tantamount to Army mobilisation. “If there was the need for Army mobilisation, such a decision should follow the due process. Otherwise, it will violate constitutional norms and practices,” Rajendra Dahal, press adviser to the President, quoted Yadav as saying.

Koirala, who was accompanied by Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya, appraised the President on the efforts to bring disgruntled parties to the talks table.