Army says its structure is all-inclusive

The Nepal Army (NA) has claimed its structure is inclusive of all castes, regions, gender and religion.

In a press statement on Friday, the Directorate of Public Relations of the NA said more than 50 castes and ethnic communities are represented in the army while an all-Madhesi battalion called ‘Naya Sabuj’ was established at the start of the current fiscal year.

The new battalion, which has been formed “in the honour of Madhesi people’s contribution to nation building”, is based in Jaleshwor, Janakpur Zone, according to the DPR.

Another battalion called ‘Ripumardini’, which comprises servicemen from indigenous Kirat and other ethnical groups based in mountainous regions, also came into being from the start of this fiscal year.

Two other ethnic-based NA battalions - ‘Purano Gorkha’ (Magar community) and ‘Kali Bahadur’ (Gugung community) – already exist from some time.

Though the NA did not mention about the context in which the statement was issued, it came in the aftermath of controversies triggered by the remarks of western division chief Brigadier General Dilip SJB Rana saying there was a possibility of army mobilisation to quell the recent unrest in Terai region if the police failed to take the situation under control.

Rana’s statement met with harsh criticism from different quarters for its political nuances. Holding him guilty of breaching military norms and tradition, the army headquarters has already suggested the government to initiate action against Brigadier Rana.

The Terai unrest has subsided after the address of the Prime Minister to the nation on Wednesday in which he pledged to increase electoral seats in Terai districts and delineate election constituencies on the basis of population and geographical conditions.

While a parliamentary declaration has brought the army under the control of the government, some ruling parties still stress the need to democratise the army whereas the Maoists want complete restructuring of the NA to make it a 'true national army’. nepalnews.com mk Feb 09 07