Nepal Army Chief Claims Protection Efforts Amid Questions Over Inaction

Kathmandu — Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel has claimed that the Nepal Army protected key state institutions from protesters during the unrest on Bhadra 24.

In his statement to a probe commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, formed to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24, Sigdel said the army played a role in safeguarding vital institutions.

However, there are claims that while the army protected places such as Singha Durbar and the President’s Office at Shital Niwas, it remained a passive spectator when the Supreme Court building near its own headquarters was set on fire.

Eyewitnesses have said the army could have prevented the destruction had it chosen to act. But according to the report obtained by Desh Sanchar, Sigdel insisted the army made efforts to control the situation, including firing warning shots into the air.

In his statement, Sigdel said:
“An agitated crowd gathered outside Singha Durbar and the President’s Office was dispersed through verbal warnings, more than 46 rounds of aerial firing, and repeated physical pushing from the main gate.”

He also stated that he had advised imposing a curfew from 5:00 a.m. on Bhadra 24, but authorities delayed the decision until 8:30 a.m., by which time a large number of protesters had already gathered, making the curfew ineffective.

Sigdel’s statement contains apparent contradictions.
While he said the army could not be deployed without formal constitutional procedures, he also claimed that it was mobilized later that night through official statements—without clarifying the legal basis for that decision.

Responding to allegations that the army supported the Gen Z protesters, Sigdel said:
“The Nepal Army cannot be mobilized without a clear mandate and constitutional provisions. It can only be deployed in accordance with Articles 266(1), 267(6), and 273 of the Constitution.”

He added that after the Prime Minister’s resignation, the security situation deteriorated further, prompting the army to issue public appeals and fully deploy from 10:00 p.m. to restore law and order.