KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today directed the Nepali Army (NA) to make the institution more inclusive and democratic.

During his visit to the NA Headquarters at Bhadrakali today, the PM also said that the NA

also should adapt itself to the changing time and context.

Talking to journalists, Raghuji Pant, chief political advisor to the PM, informed that PM Nepal had directed the top NA brass to make the institution more inclusive and democratic with recruiting more women, Dalits, Madhesis.

“The Nepali Army is the only pride of the people. It’s the need of the hour to make the institution more inclusive and democratic as it’s the national army,” Pant quoted the PM as saying. Nepal reassured of a concrete step to bolster the professionalism and protection of the NA. During the one-and-half-hour long visit, senior army officials complained of disruption of the fresh recruitment drive and

daily functioning of the institution due to some

provisions incorporated

in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

In response, the PM

said he would consult

with political parties

and other stakeholders

in this regard.

According to NA’s Public Relations Directorate, CoAS Chhatra Man Singh Gurung and other senior NA officials briefed the PM about NA structure, work performance and problems. DPM Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala, among others, accompanied the PM Nepal.

Meanwhile, PM Nepal also inspected the Army Rehabilitation Centre at Erahiti and Armed Police Force Hospital, Balambu, the same day.