The Hindu : International : Deuba's detention is "unconstitutional"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

International

International

Deuba's detention is "unconstitutional"

KATHMANDU: Senior leaders of the seven-party alliance in Nepal on Sunday met the former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is in police custody after defying the royal anti-graft Commission, and expressed solidarity with the ousted leader.

``Deuba's detention is unconstitutional, as the RCCC (Royal Commission for Corruption Control) is unconstitutionally formed. It was formed to tarnish the image of political leaders,'' CPN-UML's Madhav Kumar Nepal, who along with other leaders met Mr. Deuba at Police Training Centre, Maharajgunj in Kathmandu on Sunday, said.

He was accompanied by Gopal Man Shrestha, the Acting President of Mr. Deuba's party the Nepali Congress-D, and Jana Morcha Nepal's Amik Shercham among others.

Mr. Deuba was taken into police custody after he refused to testify before the RCCC in an alleged graft case. He also refused to pay the fine slapped by the royal anti-graft panel.

Mr. Deuba asked the leaders to intensify their pro-democracy agitation, Nepalese daily Kantipur reported.

Army seeks arms

With major countries suspending military aid to Nepal in the aftermath of February 1 royal takeover, the army has invited foreign-based manufacturers and distributors for supplying defence equipment including helicopter gunships and tanks.

In an advertisement published in the state-run daily The Rising Nepal, the Royal Nepalese Army has invited formal applications from reputed foreign-based manufacturers and distributors to enlist their company in the annual procurement list 2005/06 for the supply of ``various Military and Civil pattern goods to the RNA.'' In the advertisement, the RNA said it was looking for various types of arms, accessories and spare parts, ammunition and explosives.

Reports said Nepal had procured military equipment from China including five armoured personnel carriers. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

U.S. troops launch fresh Iraq offensive

Militants trawl Europe for recruits

Security details for G-8 summit leaked, says paper

U.S. Ambassador's statement is irresponsible, says Pakistan

"Co-ordinated response critical"

Hunt for stolen African billions

Russian cargo ship docks with ISS

Spain warns deserts are spreading

Deuba's detention is "unconstitutional"

`Restless spirit holds sway'

Musharraf sees light at the end of the tunnel

Canada absolves Indian-origin MP

EPRLF demands halt to killings in Sri Lanka