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Arms consignment: Nepal denies reports

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Home Minister on Monday denied media reports in India and Nepal that a Nepal-bound Ukrainian plane with an arms consignment had landed in Ahmedabad.

"No plane carrying arms and ammunition has flown to Nepal or stopped in Ahmedabad," Krishna Prasad Sitaula told the House of Representatives. He said the Ukraine embassy had informed the Nepal embassy in Delhi for the assistance to fly the plane containing arms consignment to the Nepali Army.

"The Defence Secretary immediately requested the Indian ambassador in Nepal not to give permission to the Ukrainian plane to land in India," he said.

The Minister said orders for the consignment — air-to-land rocket and rocket launchers to be mounted on MI-17 helicopters — were placed during the King's rule. "The Letter of Credit was opened on April 11, 2005." King Gyanendra assumed absolute power on February 1, 2005. However, the decision to import the arms was made on January 3, 2005. The arms were purchased from an Israeli company.

Palace denial

Royal Palace on Monday denied allegations that Crown Prince Paras had a hand in the import. Maoist Chairman Prachanda on Sunday alleged that Crown Prince Paras, during his visit to Austria in 2005, had purchased the arms from Israel through dealers.

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Arms consignment: Nepal denies reports

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