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Nepal PM removes army chief


KATMANDU: Nepal's prime minister fired the army chief Sunday, accusing him of defying government orders, while his deputy has been appointed Acting Army chief, officials said.Information Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara told reporters the prime minister announced army chief Rookmangud Katawal's removal after calling a special Cabinet meeting Sunday. ``The army chief was removed because he failed to give satisfactory explanation on why the government orders were ignored,'' Mahara said.The army's second in command, Kul Bahadur Khadka, has been appointed the new acting army chief, he said. Most political parties in the coalition government walked out in protest, with the main opposition Nepali Congress warning of street protests. But a vote was taken by the ruling Maoists _ led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal _ to fire Katawal.

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