National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Gesture Of Sympathy

General Padmanabhan supports the Royal Nepalese Army's operations against the Maoists

By A CORRESSPONDENT

At a time when Nepal's political leadership has shown a clear reluctance to throw its full weight behind the security forces waging a war against terrorism, Chief of the Indian Army Staff General S. Padmanabhan has firmly backed the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)-led operations to restore peace and stability in the kingdom.

King Gyanendra conferred the rank of honorary general of the RNA to Gen. Padmanabhan at a special investiture ceremony at the royal palace. During his four-day official visit, Gen. Padmanabhan made several positive gestures to boost the morale of the RNA.

After visiting the western and far-western commands of the RNA, Gen. Padmanabhan indicated that India would supply weapons and other materials to Nepal. The Indian army chief also urged former soldiers of the Indian Army's Gurkha Battalion to support the RNA's moves to restore peace and stability. Meanwhile, the Indian ambassador's wife handed over Rs.100, 000 to Nepal's Army Officers' Wives Association. The money will be spent on welfare programs for family members of soldiers killed during the anti-terrorism operations.

"The commitment shown by the Indian Army chief is very important at this crucial juncture, when the Maoists are destroying rural infrastructures," said a security analyst. "If the statements made by the top brass of Indian Army are implemented, terrorism in Nepal could be wiped out very soon."

Despite positive indications from Nepal Delhi and the moral support given by Gen. Padmanabhan, the Maoist leadership continues to enjoy shelter on Indian soil in its effort to destabilize Nepal. "Commitment and action are two very different things," said the analyst. "Actions are needed to back commitments."

While soldiers and policemen are shedding their blood to protect multiparty democracy, many politicians are still questioning the motives and intentions of the RNA. Hiranaya Lal Shrestha, a leader of the CPN-UML, even questions the legality of the Indian army chief's support for the RNA.

"This is a very unfortunate scenario in Nepalese politics. The top military leader from a neighboring country has backed the security actions in Nepal, but Nepalese politicians do not have clear agenda on the matter," said another political analyst.

Nepalese politicians have offered few words hailing the sacrifice made by the RNA in the defence of democracy. This pettiness would only erode their stature in front of the security forces.

Although Indian politicians and officials have been publicly condemning the violence in Nepal and even declared the Maoists as terrorists, a perceptible ambiguity remains in Indian policy. Until a few months back, well-established Indian media organizations preferred to describe the Maoists as development-oriented forces, knowing that they have destroyed school buildings, roads, hydro-power stations, health posts and community forestry and orphanages.

India has handed over some Maoists undergoing treatment at Indian hospitals and arrested some Indian Maoist activists, but top Nepalese Maoist leaders continue to make statements and grant media interviews from Indian soil. "If Indian officials sincerely support the move taken by the Nepalese government, our security personnel can wipe out the insurgency within a few months," said a security analyst.

As the two countries share a long open border, growing anarchy and violence in Nepal is not in the interest of India. The statements and support shown by the Indian army chief underscore a clear recognition of this reality and could mark a turning point in Nepal's efforts to curb terrorism. n