Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 14 – Nepal’s Supreme Court has summoned the government and security agencies for a hearing on an interim order concerning the legitimacy and operation of the Green Army, an organisation deployed in rescue and relief operations following the Bhote Koshi floods.
A single bench of Justice Nityananda Pandey issued the order in response to a writ petition filed by advocate Samburaj Aryal and others, who have sought the cancellation of the Green Army’s registration.
The court has summoned the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Kathmandu District Administration Office and Green Army Nepal among others for discussions on the petition and the requested interim order.
The petitioners have challenged the organisation’s use of military-style uniforms, ranks, insignia and organisational structures, arguing that it operates in a manner resembling the Nepali Army despite being registered as a non-governmental organisation.
The petition claims that the Green Army was operating under the guise of the Nepali Army while carrying out rescue and relief work for victims of the Bhote Koshi floods. It argues that a non-governmental organisation cannot adopt a military-style structure similar to that of a state security agency.
The Supreme Court has also directed the Green Army to submit a written response explaining the basis of its registration and its operations including its use of uniforms, ranks and military-style structures.
The court’s intervention comes as questions have been raised over the organisation’s legal status and the extent to which a private or non-governmental entity can adopt the identity and institutional characteristics of Nepal’s armed forces during disaster-response operations.
The Bhote Koshi floods caused extensive loss of life and property in Rasuwa and other affected areas, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations involving government agencies, security forces and other organisations.
