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| failedstate |
Posted
on 09-Feb-04 07:19 PM
This piece in SpotLight is interesting and argues that the Maoist' successes are exaggerated and the RNAs have begun to march into the so-called Maoist heartlands. It would be interesting to verify this from other sources.
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Steady Gains
In a significant operation that is likely to have a strong psychological impact on general people, the RNA enters into the so-called ‘Maoist Heartland’ and with ease
By A CORRESPONDENT
After the breakdown of ceasefire by the Maoists on August 27, 2003, the security forces were forced to their back-foot by a series of targeted attacks against individuals and acts of sabotage launched by the rebels. But with concerted efforts of the unified command led by the RNA and visibly improved intelligence mechanism, the security forces have been able to keep the situation under control in the subsequent months, claim high-ranking security sources.
And a little over than a week after the Maoists declared an autonomous province in the mid-western region, Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) entered into what is called as rebel heartland in Thawang and Rangkot of Rolpa district. Smashing the myths associated with the ‘red zone’ the security forces marched into those areas, security sources said.
Rebel's weapons seized by RNA : Search continues
General Pyara Jung Thapa, Chief of the Army Staff, Royal Nepal Army (RNA), visited parts of mid-western districts said to be the flashpoints of the Maoists. General Thapa met with soldiers and security personnel deployed in those regions and, significantly, urged them to take measures to avoid human rights abuses and help the local population, who have been victimized by the rebels. General’s emphasis on the human rights apparently is a response to growing criticism by the domestic and international bodies about the conduct of security personnel on ground.
General Thapa addressed soldiers in Thawang VDC of Rolpa district – which was earlier known as headquarters of the Maoists. “The local people are already victimized by the Maoists who forcefully take over their homes and pester them in other manners. So, it is our duty to help those people,” said Thapa. The army chief also visited neighboring Salyan, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Rukum and other districts.
In a video footage shown on the news in Nepal Television (NTV) on Thursday (January 29), the security forces marched into Thawang VDC – known to be Maoist heartland – unopposed. The footage showed a deserted village even as some locals told security officials that the rebels had compelled all villagers to flee with them upon sensing the RNA’s march into their area.
Chief of the western division of RNA General Rukmangad Katuwal said, “There is no territory within the Kingdom of Nepal where RNA cannot go at any given time.” He told NTV that the RNA and the security forces had been in the so-called ‘base areas’ of the Maoists since last 11 days. Troops of RNA from Dailekh and Rukum went to those villages in Rolpa.
Colonel Kazi Babu Khatri of RNA western division headquarters in Nepalgunj told reporters that the RNA had gone to the Gauridanda of Rangkot village in Rolpa where the rebels had claimed they have their military division under the leadership of their leader Pasang. “We did not find any kind of infrastructure there that could support a military division We took a house that was being used as a FM radio station under our control,” said Colonel Khatri, adding, “This has proved that the Maoists were only spreading baseless propaganda regarding their exact strength.”
Interestingly, the marching security forces were not obstructed on their path in any major manner. The RNA has been conducting search operations in these areas for the last two weeks. The RNA troops are also conducting the search operation in Junga Thapachaur of Jajarkot district – the same place where the Maoists had organized their major meeting to announce the formation of Bheri Karnali autonomous region only two weeks ago.
“This operation by the security forces is quite significant. The physical presence of the soldiers of security forces will definitely have a lasting psychological impact on the general population, who till now had been led to believe by the Maoists that these areas were invincible,” said Karna Bahadur Thapa, a security analyst. He added that this operation exposed the propaganda and disinformation campaign of the rebels. “They had even claimed they have a medical college there. Where is it? This operation has also helped people like us security analysts to be clearer about the real picture out there,” he said.
In another development, the RNA has announced that it has taken action against 22 army men for various crimes, ranging from murder and extortion to rights abuses, committed after the army was mobilized following the breakdown of ceasefire. Fifteen soldiers have been sentenced to three to six years of imprisonment, six others have been dismissed and one demoted, RNA officials said. “These army men held different ranks and includes a major,” said Brigadier General B.A. Kumar Sharma, chief of the RNA human rights cell. “Promotion of some soldiers have been suspended for a few years over minor crimes.”
In the last couple of months after the ceasefire broke down, 1270 rebels and 118 soldiers have been killed and 208 army men injured. A total of 186 rebels have surrendered to the security forces.
At a time when the politics of the country resembles a mess, the success of the security forces also provides some hope that environment conducive to hold elections could emerge soon, which if held could certainly resolve the current impasse. However, to achieve the objective soon, the security forces would need the whole-hearted support of the mainstream political parties as well.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 09-Feb-04 10:57 PM
I am not sure about 'steady gain', but it is obvious that Maoists are not as successful in their attack strategy as before. At least, we haven't seen corpses of 50-60 policemen/soldiers after the Maoist attacks these days which used to form the nightmare of our thought process in the previous years.
But more villages have fallen to the Maoists[My hometown is no exception] after the restart of the fight. Villages have been emptied by both the warring factions. Most egregiously, innocent Tharus have suffered the most in Terai.Also think about this, why should people in Tandi or vicinity pay the tax to the government? Some days ago, dacoits looted quite a few houses, and now people protect their town by forming vigilant groups themselves. If people have to protect themselves, and if there is no government ,except for intermittently ferociously swishing vehicles of sepoys in the highways, should they be paying taxes? And for what? So that the royal family can add a few luxury cars in their fleet?
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| failedstate |
Posted
on 10-Feb-04 05:45 PM
I am curious to find out more about this issue especially from those who are in Nepal. I would appreciate if anyone could shed some light on these marching-into-the-heartlands types stories by the RNA.
The crucial thing would be the staying power of the RNA in and around the Maoists infested areas. In Vietnam too, the Americans did not have any problem in sweeping through the enclaves, but as soon as they were done with their "duties" they were back on the camp doing their other duties: sex, drug, and the rock and roll (not all, but more than a few).
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| bardan |
Posted
on 10-Feb-04 06:01 PM
RNA will certainly be successful in defeating the maoists militarily,yes there may be a few hiccups along the way,but unfortunately the military gains are not being reinforced politically.RNA cannot do that.to defeat the maoists we need a multi thronged approached,thats where the political parties come in,and when they wake up from their deep slumber they should try and challenge the maoists.the maoists are the real enemy here.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 11-Feb-04 08:16 AM
The following news about Hem Narayan Yadav's killing shocked me. There goes myth about parties helping RNA.
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From Today's The Kathmandu Post.
Army might have hand in Yadav’s killing
BY GHANASHYAM OJHA
KATHMANDU, Feb 10 - Hem Narayan Yadav, a former UML lawmaker, might have died at the hands of security personnel, information gathered by The Kathmandu Post from the eyewitness and local authorities in Siraha district indicate.
Locals claim that the incident site from where Yadav was picked up by the armed-personnel is heavily guarded by the security forces. They also assert that no one except the security people could move in that area with guns. According to them, there are four security posts stationed every six kms between Gagan and Kamala Rivers where the incident took place.
Here is a blow-by-blow account of the incident leading to the death of Yadav as given by the locals in Gol Bazar village in Siraha district.
A local, on condition of anonymity, said that Yadav was abducted from Gagan River that lies between Gol Bazaar and Dhangadhi at 1:30 pm on February 2. According to him, three people who were in dressed in black and armed with sub machine guns (SMGs), were checking vehicles by the riverside. They also had a black van without a number plate on standby position. The armed-personnel had checked two motorcycles and let them go before Yadav arrived there on a motorbike.
According to a local who claims to have witnessed the incident, as soon as Yadav arrived, the three persons manhandled him and forced him into the van.
Yadav was then taken to the west of Gagan River. One of them rode off with Yadav’s motorcycle.
According to other villagers, the vehicle stopped at Dhunga Khani, about 10 kms down the Gagan River, where about 100-150 workers were busy collecting stones. As soon as the workers noticed the vehicle, they rushed towards it assuming that a buyer had come.
"But the people inside the vehicle pointed guns at the villagers, driving them away," the villagers recounted the incident.
The vehicle then rushed towards the Kamala River, which is about 30 kms down the Gagan River. The next morning, Yadav’s body was found at the bank of the Kamala River. Yadav had received two bullets — one on his head fired from a SMG, and another on his back from a 7mm pistol.
The villagers also said that the security personnel could have killed Yadav, suspecting that he may be linked with the Maoists.
Charges have no locus standi: RNA
Colonel Deepak Gurung, spokesperson of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), totally dismissed the involvement of security personnel in Yadav’s murder.
"These are mere rumours. If anyone wants to blame the security personnel, they should come up with concrete proof," Col Gurung said, adding, "I don’t want to make further comments on it."
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| bardan |
Posted
on 11-Feb-04 08:36 AM
well the story is out there,but lets have it checked out by various authorities first.
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| failedstate |
Posted
on 11-Feb-04 07:23 PM
Bardan:
I think every time the Maoists announce a Bandha or a lockout in a district or the region, the RNA should land and go through the area. This will booste the morale of the local people and give a psychological perception that there is after all the other government too. No human rights absue should be tolerated of course. In fact, a news crew should accompany such campaign to record the ground reality.
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