Kathmandu, November 22

The Ministry of Defence has denied Nepali Army officials' permission to participate in a six-day meet on transitional justice scheduled to be held in Bangkok, beginning November 25.

The army had written a letter to the Ministry of Defence seeking the latter’s approval for its two senior officials to participate in the programme being organised by the Swiss government.

“However, the ministry has decided that army representatives will not attend the event,” said the ministry’s Spokesperson Babu Ram Gautam.

Nepali Army Spokesperson Brig Gen Gokul Bhandaree said the army had yet to receive the ministry’s decision.

“The chances of the army’s participation in the event are slim,” he said.

Other invitees to the programme include political leaders, conflict victims, civil society members and human rights activists.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s Adviser Sushil Pyakurel, who is one of the invitees, said he was invited to the event by the Swiss foreign ministry and that he was not aware of any new development.