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Kathmandu Saturday October 14, 2000 Aswin 28, 2057.
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New govt initiatives
Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya has been quick to take the
Maoist bull by its horns. The government’s recent moves indicate it has now become
serious about finding a solution to the five-year old insurgency problem. Royal Nepal Army
and Nepal Police personnel have begun joint patrolling six districts affected by the
insurgency. In thirteen Maoist affected districts, matters related to use/mobilisation of
the army has been placed with the Chief District Officer. Apart from this, reports have it
that the National Defence Council is also considering the creation of a National Defence
Committee for co-ordination with the government and also for resource mobilisation. While
these may be seen as concrete measures that should help restore normalcy, Minister Acharya
will be well advised to see the use of the army only as a means for bringing the Maoists
to the table. This move is not an end in itself. The solution has to be political, not
military. So obviously, the use of the military has to be limited to certain roles and for
a certain time period. Acharya has not indicated any time frame for army involvement in
Maoist affected areas, but it is to be hoped he understands -- since as Finance Minister
he also holds the purse strings the cost of protracted army involvement in the Maoist
conflict. The army can be used effectively for peacekeeping, but ultimately, the police
must take
over the job of maintaining law and order and providing security to the people. There is
no doubt that violence and terrorism must be dealt with firmly. In keeping with this need
and considering the deteriorating situation, mobilisation of the army had become
necessary.
Still, there is hope that the problem can be resolved through
dialogue if the Defence and Home Ministers are not talking at cross purposes. Though it
may appear that while Acharya blows hot Poudel blows cold, the Home Minister’s
initiative to bring the Maoists to the table must be welcomed. He has expressed the
government’s willingness to talk to the Maoists. He has also talked about exchanging
prisoners. These are indeed very positive steps and they should go down well with the
insurgents. The release of prison guards the Maoists had captured at Dunai can be seen as
a positive response from the Maoists. These developments must be welcomed for they help
build confidence and they could also go a long way to create a "minimum
environment" for talks.
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