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VOL. 25, NO. 17, December 23 2005 (Paush 08, 2062 B.S. ) |
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NAGARKOT INCIDENT
Human Failure
By KESHAB POUDEL
Following days of nationwide massive protests by various political parties and condemnations by human rights groups, the uproar over a shootout incident in strategically localted top of Nagarkot hill about 9,000 feet height from where one can see northern border point with China and all Kathmandu valley, in which a solider killed 12 local people and injured 19 others has gradually been pacified. Among others, the tragic incident, which is under the process of inquiry by two probe commissions, has damaged the image of the Royal Nepalese Army - Nepal’s oldest institution guaranteeing stability and national sovereignty of the country.
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Victims: Tragic consequences |
Even as RNA’s high-level officials claimed that the incident was the result of a madness of a soldier, newspaper reports speculated mysterious circumstances behind it - like how the soldier was allowed to carry loaded weapon outside the barrack and into a local fair and how he committed suicide? And why the army tolerated a person with a record of bad character. This incident is full of mystery.
In the last one and half decade, country’s major forces are, one after another, facing similar kinds of fate. After the organized political parties and the institution of monarchy, the RNA has been dragged into political controversy aimed at breaking its harmonious relationship with society.
Although the initial and prompt response by RNA’s high command helped reduce tensions, politicians from all sides have done little to protect the country’s vital institution. The major seven parties alliance announced protest programs encouraging their student wings to go against the RNA and the two vice chairmen of the present cabinet, who are just given ceremonial roles, did not find time to visit the injured persons in hospital.
“I express my condolence to the families of the victims of Nagarkot regretting the incident. Don’t mix failure of an individual with that of the institution. The RNA is ready to provide job or other assistance to the families of the victims,” said Chief of the Army Staff General Pyara Jung Thapa, who upon returning from Pakistan on Saturday went straight to Birendra Army Hospital to console other victims of the incident.
The Army has shown restraint by responding promptly to the incident. “We regret for the incident. We must not repeat such mistakes in future,” said acting chief of the Army Staff Rookmangad Katawal, addressing army officers. “Don’t blame the entire institution for the mistake committed by a soldier.”
A program was announced to scandalize the RNA but silent majority have supported the RNA by not joining in the organized protests. “It is unfortunate to say that some political parties are trying to politicize the incidents by discrediting the whole institution,“ said Dr. Indrajit Rai, security expert. “Of course, there were certain mistakes at certain levels but there are mechanisms to take actions. Everyone requires the army as it is one of the fundamental foundation of national sovereignty.”
Although army officers responsible for these incidents need to be punished and the army needs to take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in future, this kind of incident is not new in the world.
When her own Sikh bodyguard killed Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, nobody blamed the whole Indian army for the failure of one particular individual. Similarly, Sri Lankan army man once hit and injured Indian prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi who was on a visit to the island nation but nobody blamed the whole of Sri Lankan Army.
In Iraq, a couple of American soldiers abused Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghreib prison but nobody blamed the whole of American Army including army stationed in Iraq. There is always possibility of human failure but there must be a mechanism to punish such culprits in accordance with the law.
Then, why not give benefit of doubt to our own Royal Nepalese Army whose soldiers have been fighting insurgency since last five years or so without any backing of political forces in Nepal. For its part, the RNA needs to take immediate actions to assure common people that those who commit the crime are not immune.
At a time when the country has been facing a major crisis for survival, there is a need for reconciliation among all political forces - the monarchy, organized political parties and the RNA. The divisions among them will not benefit the country. Divided they are, it always give enough space to play against each other.
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