Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam, who heads the army integration special committee, today came down heavily on the Nepali Congress (NC), saying that the main opposition party is clearly on the collision course with the government as it continues to refuse to be part of the panel.

“The NC is trying to confront the government by not joining the special committee. This is a tactic to obstruct the process [army integration’],” Gautam said while addressing a programme in Sindhuli district.

The number of members of a particular party in the committee makes no sense, he said, referring to the NC’s demand that it should have two members in the panel. Gautam added that the NC as the main opposition party should to play a constructive role in the peace process.

The Home Minister also made it a point to claim that his department is doing its best to maintain law and order in the country. Security situation is improving, but the actions of youth groups like Young Communist League (YCL) and Youth Force are creating problems.