May 27, 2005

In a dramatic development, RNA plays audio-tape of Maoist chairman Prachanda

By A CORRESPONDENT

In what could be seen as a significant and dramatic development, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has made public an audio tape of Maoist chairman Prachanda in which the latter says that the Indian government has called them for talks.

In a hastily called press conference on May 20, the RNA played an audio tape before journalists in which the voice attributed to Maoist chairman Prachanda claimed that the Indian government had asked the Maoist leadership to come for dialogue in India.

RNA officials : New information

In the tape, Prachanda addressing his party workers (believed to be prior to Maoist attack against Khara base camp) also claimed that India was recently about to agree on the release of two top Maoist leaders Mohan Vaidya (aka Kiran) and C.P. Gajurel (aka Gaurav) who are currently under detention in Indian jails. But it came to the notice of Indians that Baburam (senior Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai) was punished for being pro-Indian. Thereafter the Indian government clarified that Kiran and Gaurav would be released only after Baburam’s case was clarified. It has come very officially, he said.

In the tape, Prachanda goes on to say that in response to the Indian government’s request, he invited Indian emissary to visit the Maoist base areas. “In that case, we would fully guarantee their safety,” he added. Only a part of the audio tape was played during the press meet.

This revelation comes in the wake of unconfirmed reports in some section of media that Maoist leaders are in Delhi to hold talks with the officials there. According to May 17 news report that appeared in the Dubai-based The Gulf News “three leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, including Dr Bhattarai, were in Delhi this week.” The report adds “They have met key intelligence officials as well as Prakash Karat and AB Bardhan, the two chiefs of the Communist Party of India Marxist and the Communist Party of India.” Together with Maoist spokesman (Krishna Bahadur) Mahara and Krishna Pyakurel, the trio have been tasked by Maoist leader Prachanda to begin negotiations in secret with India as well as leaders of Nepal's mainstream opposition, the news report said. Senior Indian Government officials, however, refuse to confirm or deny (that) such talks were under way, the news report said.

Immediately, after the tape was made public, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has raised questions over the authenticity of the tapes played by the RNA. In a press statement it issued hours after the RNA press meet, it stated, “The Government of India is not aware of this tape or of its provenance and authenticity since the Nepalese authorities have not shared it with us. From what has been reported, it is quite evident that the allegations against India are completely false, baseless and far-fetched.” It is well known to all that India has been assisting the Royal Nepalese Army in various ways to deal with the challenges posed by the Maoist insurgency, the statement added. On the other hand, till Monday afternoon, the Maoists had not made any comment about the tape episode.

Meanwhile, in the same press conference, RNA officials said that the division in the leadership of the Maoists and lack of popular support for them have contributed to the security forces’ achievements. According to Major General Kiran Shumsher Thapa, Director General of Military Operations, the Maoists would continue to launch desperate and aggressive offensive.

They could be more violent and destructive in such a situation, said Colonel Victor JB Rana. He assessed the current Maoist strength as having 9500 guerrillas, around 25,000 militia, around 14,000 political workers and around 100,000 sympathizers. The army informed that in the last nine years, the Maoists destroyed 4102 infrastructures and caused physical destruction amounting to Rs 9.24 billion.

Major General Thapa also urged for support from civil society and political parties for effective fight against the Maoists. At the same program, Major Arjun Jung Thapa said that the RNA was focusing more on human rights protection these days. He informed that the RNA was starting to keep central record of people under detention.

And in order to lessen the collateral damages, the army is working to take action against willful violators of human rights. “Human rights violations would not be tolerated,” he said, adding that till now the RNA had conducted investigations on 42 cases following which 45 different officers and soldiers have been sentenced to prison terms between 6 months to 7 years. Likewise, 32 personnel have been dismissed from service.