March 18, 2005

Royal Nepalese Army demonstrates its ability to save the life of common people from the threat of terrorism and natural disaster

By A CORRESPONDENT

When battalions of Royal Nepalese Army personnel were fighting terrorism in and around the country and other groups of army are busy in peace keeping operations abroad to save people from conflicts and civil war, some of their colleagues demonstrated their capability at Tundikhel on March 8 (Army Day) on how they actually perform their difficult role.

King Gyanendra graces Army Day function : demonstration of ability

As an oldest organized army of the region, Royal Nepalese Army has more than 250-year-long history as it evolved side by side with national integration. RNA received constant patronage of the monarchy during all this period. Known as a disciplined and brave force, RNA has gone through various phases of modernization.

Actively taking part in UN peacekeeping operations abroad and fighting terrorism inside the country, RNA kept itself busy in humanitarian and disaster rescue operations during the peacetime and at times of natural disaster. From rescuing people from disaster areas to protecting people from menace of terrorism, RNA has been shouldering all the responsibility.

Despite all these achievements, the RNA has to be careful from a group of hostile people who never praise its important role but always criticize at the extent of demoralizing the legitimate force - which has been very prompt in taking actions against those officials who were found to violate human rights.

With the imposition of the state of emergency on February 1, Royal Nepalese Army has made certain major achievements in the fight against the Maoist terrorism destroying their bases - particularly its local explosive factories.

Royal Nepalese Army destroyed three major weapons factory in Chitwan, Solukhumbu and Kailali districts recently. According to RNA, these factories were used to manufacture socket bombs and other improvised explosive devices.

Security sources believe that there are a number of such factories in and around Nepal supplying explosive devices to the Maoists.

As Nepalese Maoists have already expanded their influence in the plain areas adjoining Indian border state, there is possibility of spill over effect on Indian side as well.

Those Nepalese Maoists who are trained in bomb making and terrorist attack can create trouble in Indian state any day. The homemade factories in Nepal can supply much needed weapons to Indian terrorist outfits operating across the border.

Knowingly and unknowingly, Indian authorities ignored Nepal's insurgency for last many years allowing their free movement across borders. Most of the Indian newspapers and some Indian intellectuals even praised Nepalese terrorists as brave rebels. Ignoring the possibility of spillover effect on India, Nepalese Maoists were treated as revolutionary in India.

It seems that Indian authorities, of late, are realizing the gravity of the situation According to the recent online edition of Times of India, Indian home minister told the Indian parliament that outlawed KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organization) in the North-east was developing links with the Nepalese Maoists.

If that is the credible judgment of Indian security agencies, ultras in the region will create more trouble to both Nepalese and Indian security in the coming days. The UPA government in India holds the view that the Maoist menace is India's biggest security threat as 170 districts in India were under Naxal influence.

According to India's Home ministry, till November 30, 2004, over 430 civilians and 98 securities personal had been killed in Maoist violence in 10 Indian states. Recently the Maoist violence in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh has suddenly increased.

WEBINDIA123. COM on its March 10 edition said that Indian intelligence bureau has already clearly pointed out the possibility of external linkage in Nepal have also factored in the spread of Naxalites moment in India.

"Born as a rag tag group, Nepalese Maoists have the motivation, capability and infrastructures to strike. They also have expertise on sabotage and development of homemade weapon," said a security analyst.

"Nepal's market is comparatively small. Training and expertise gained by the Maoists in Nepal will ultimately be used in India," said a security official. "This is not confined to particular areas in Nepal now."

"India's Intelligence Bureau has reported that the motive of the guerilla groups was to carve out a "compact revolutionary zone" from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh. Chattisgarh was a corridor for them," writes the website.

The recent destruction of Maoist hideout and factories inside Nepal showed that both the countries have to face major problems from rising leftist extremists in the region.