The Nepal Army (NA) has immediately decided to mobilize 150 soldiers led by Lt. Colonel Arun Pal for the security of the newly elected Prime Minister Prachanda at his official residence at Baluwatar.
It is not known if the security chiefs have consulted the newly elected premier before taking this decision .It is also not known who inspired the security mechanisms to take this immediate decision.
But some Maoist sources on condition of anonymity said that there is fear that the mass-oriented top Maoist leader may be isolated from people if he is kept in a heavily guarded custody-styled environment.
The sources express their concern that rural masses may develop negative perceptions towards premier Prachanda as he is more likely to lose direct access to people. During the 10-year insurgency, Prachanda, as he recalls it, stayed with villagers.
His access to people declined during the two-year peace process because he has been staying in Kathmandu since then.
The sources also disclosed that Maoist cadres prefer the combined mobilization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with the NA for Prachanda’s security.
Premier Prachanda, while addressing a mass meeting in Kathmandu in March 2008, had said that his murder was being attempted. However, he was not able to give details.
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