Army Chief proposed two options to PM Oli during Gen-Z protests: Resign or deploy army

KATHMANDU, March 25: Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel told the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led probe commission that he had presented then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli with two options at the height of the Gen-Z protests—either pursue a political solution by stepping down or constitutionally deploy the army to control the situation.

According to the report made public by Janastha Weekly, Sigdel said he offered the suggestions during a discussion at the Prime Minister’s residence on the morning of September 9, a day after the protests escalated. He stated that the options were presented after the prime minister sought his advice.

As the first option, Sigdel suggested opting for a political solution to prevent further human casualties, including resignation if necessary. As the second option, he said the Nepal Army was fully prepared to take control of the situation if the cabinet made a formal recommendation in line with constitutional provisions.

Sigdel clarified that the army cannot be deployed on its own. “The Nepal Army is not an institution that can take to the streets independently. It can only be mobilized through constitutional and legal procedures, based on a cabinet recommendation and a decision by the President,” he said in his statement.

He also noted that intelligence agencies, including the National Investigation Department, had warned during a Central Security Committee meeting on September 7 that the protests could intensify. However, he said no formal meeting of the National Security Council was held until September 9, limiting strategic discussions.

By the time such a meeting could have taken place, the then home minister had already resigned, restrictions on social media had been lifted, and there were expectations that the protesters’ demands would be addressed, reducing the likelihood of further escalation, Sigdel stated.

He added that the army did not make any decision regarding deployment under those circumstances.

Sigdel further said the army played a proactive role in protecting critical infrastructure, including Singha Durbar, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s residence, Tribhuvan International Airport and other airports, fuel depots, and prisons across the country.

He also stated that army fire brigades were used to control fires at the National Data Center and the Ministry of Finance data center in Singha Durbar.

According to Sigdel, the army exercised maximum restraint in all operations to minimize human casualties.