update ------- The Nepal Army has clarified that soldiers were on the ground as an aid to the civilian authority as requested by the local administration. The Directorate of Public Relations of the Army said in a statement that its movement in riot-affected zones in the Tarai should not be taken as its mobilisation. Clarifying that the recommendation of the National Security Council and the Cabinet to mobilise the Army is approved by the President as per Articles 144 and 145 of the Interim Constitution, the NA said its present move was only to maintain social harmony and to protect people’s lives. The Army is supporting the civilian authority in a few districts as per the provision of Clause 6 of the Local Administration Act-1971 which authorises the local authority to seek its help when any region is declared a riot-affected zone, the NA said. “Nepal Army is on the ground to help local administration maintain peace and harmony and to boost the morale of security forces affected by violence,” read the statement. The clarification follows public debate over the use of the Army. A petition was filed on Wednesday at the Supreme Court demanding withdrawal of Army soldiers from districts identified as riot-affected. The plea filed jointly by Advocates Roshan Kumar Jha and Yam Kumar Yonjan said the decision to mobilise the Army in Tikapur of Kailali, Gaur of Rautahat and Malangawa of Sarlahi violated people’s fundamental rights and disrupted the law and order situation. Update -------- In a disputing remark the Defence secretary Ishowri Prashad Paudel has said that the government has not mobilized army in protest stricken areas. Earlier, Home minister Bam Dev Gautam had informed the parliament meeting that government had mobilized army in Kailali, Rautahat and Sarlahi district where the protests were intensifying. Defence secretary further said "The interim constitution has made special provisions for the mobilization of army, only the president can mobilize army following the decision of security council and recommendation of cabinet of ministers. At the moment no such decision has been made." update -------  The army has been mobilized in Gaur, Rautahat from Tuesday morning onwards. The Local Administration lifted the curfew and declared parts of Rautahat a riot-hit area. The situation had grown tense after a clash between protestors and police personnel on Monday during the movement led by the Democratic Madhesi Front. According to CDO Madan Bhujel, Gaur municipality area and 42 km of road section and 1 km left-right from the road in Gaur-Chandranigahpur (Chandrapur municipality)has been announced as riot-hit area. Within this area, a gathering of more than 5 people, organization of meetings or conferences and pasting of pamphlets is not allowed. If people are found doing so, they can be arrested without warrant and shot on the spot under Public Crime Act. CDO Bhujel informed that army were mobilized as per the decision of District Security Committee. At least 35 people were injured in a clash between police and protestors on Monday. The protestors had vandalized government offices and torched ambulance and police office.