Expressing their serious concern over the protracted crisis in the Tarai, retired Chiefs of Army Staff and former high-level officials of the Nepal Army have advised the incumbent Army leadership to stay prepared to be deployed to preserve the independence, sovereignty and national integrity of the country should the need arise.

At an interaction held in the presence of CoAS Rajendra Chhetri at the Army Headquarters on Sunday, they, however, maintained that the deadlock in Tarai-Madhes is political in nature and hence needed to be resolved politically.

This view comes against the backdrop of general perception that the Army is reluctant to step in to assist police in maintaining law and order in the southern plains.

They made the suggestion to get feedbacks from the trusted Army hands on the status and course of the national Army. The Army has been holding such interactions regularly lately to gather feedbacks.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Tara Bahadur Karki said a majority of the former generals expressed serious concern over the Tarai crisis and suggested the present leadership to be ready for any type of role defined in the Constitution.

The suggestions from the retired officials come a day after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Bhim Rawal said the government can mobilise the Army if crisis continues.

The former generals maintained that army should protect people’s lives and property adhering to the constitutional system and process, and in line with the prevailing situation, Directorate of Public Relations of the Army said in a statement.