NA’s march towards democratic polity

By Pratibedan Baidya

Though the Nepali Army (NA) has made impressive adjustments with the latest political development in the country, it is yet to be accepted as democratic institution by some quarters.

The May 18 historic proclamation of the parliament – which was reinstated after the success of Jana Aandolan II – brought about a fundamental change within the army organisation, structure and command and control chain. It transformed the then Royal Nepalese Army into the Nepali Army and removed the King as the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Army. The NA, by and large, moulded itself to fit the new changed atmosphere. But some political parties are yet to accept the army as an institution running as per the people’s aspirations.

The NA has felt that there have been attempts from various quarters of society to hurt the morale of the national army. Though the army, time and again, has been expressing its commitment to follow the directives of the democratic government and move ahead by protecting and promoting human rights, certain parties have been expressing suspicions over their commitments – perhaps because they are unable to shake off the events of history.

Recently, political parties took remarks made by an individual officer as that of the whole institution and criticised the NA even after the latter made clarifications that the army would operate only under the government order.

The reason behind the political parties’ suspecting the deeds of the NA could be the fact that the army had remained loyal to monarchy for years and they also continue to suspect that the army has some links with the King even after the parliament declaration and subsequent political agreements and interim constitution have severed all connections between the NA and the King.

Furthermore, the NA also continues to face some serious charges of human rights violations. The report of the UN OHCHR said that 49 persons had disappeared from the Bhairavnath Battalion of the Nepali Army and it charged the Army of not cooperating in the investigation of the custodial death of Maina Sunuwar.

The Maoists have openly involved in demoralising the NA after the April change. The Maoists have even restricted the free movement of the national army but the government has remained a mere spectator. Recently, Maoists took control of 13 vehicles of NA in Nawalparasi charging them of ferrying weapons; and freed them only after the UN team verified that the trucks contained foodstuffs and logistics. Though it was a clear violation of comprehensive peace accord, the government, strangely, did not take the issue with the Maoist leadership.

The NA has also been worried with the Maoists expressing reservations over the promotions in the security agencies by the government, which is a regular process and should not have been their concern.

The army seems to be in a quandary. On the one hand, it does not have any link with the monarchy after the parliamentary proclamation but on the other hand, some parties are still labeling them as supporters of monarchy.

The Chief of the Army Staff had taken the oath of office from the parliament and has been expressing commitment to the democracy and rule of law.

Retired Lieutenant General of NA Chitra Bahadur Gurung says that as the NA has expressed commitment towards democracy and vowed to adopt the latest change, criticising it was not appropriate.

“During the last 11 months following the success of the April movement, the NA showed that it is fully committed towards democracy and has been functioning as per the new Army Act and interim constitution. So criticising it or raising suspicions regarding what the army will do in the future is not appropriate,” he said, adding, “The laws have already made the role of NA clear so unnecessary argument about NA’s role is also not called for.”

He also added that the rumours about the army and criticism against it will not have any effect in the morale of the NA. As the army is moving ahead protecting the sovereignty and national integrity, it does not need to panic from baseless rumours and unnecessary arguments as the army is always getting people’s support, he said.

At a transitional period, the role of all political parties should be to keep the morale of the national army high but they are doing great disservice to the institution and the nation by doing just the opposite.

In a clear signal of NA’s flexibility to usher in lasting peace, then Chief of the Army Staff Pyar Jung Thapa even during the direct rule of the King had said that the NA is ready to incorporate Maoist army within the NA fold if they meet certain criteria.

The army showed patience even when the political activists entered into its pavilion and destroyed some chairs during the mass meeting of the eight political parties following the success of April movement. The patience averted unfortunate incidents.

One highly-placed official of Nepali Army, on condition of anonymity told Nepalnews that they were not satisfied with the recent developments in the country, which is aimed at hurting the morale of the national army.

The source said that though the NA is committed towards democracy and the rule of law and, has and will follow the directives of the democratic government, repeated attacks on the national army could invite an unfortunate situation in the country.

“The Army is conducting its regular work and is also serious towards the ongoing peace process in the country but repeated attempts from various quarters of the society to hurt the morale of the national army will not be tolerable and the concerned side should take the responsibility if any untoward incident occurs,” the source warned.

“We have been working to bring peace and stability in the country and also working in UN missions in various countries to keep the dignity of the country, then why are there repeated attempts made to demoralise us?” he questioned.

He clarified that apart from conducting its regular work and observing the latest development of the country, NA is not making any political plan.

He refuted allegations that the NA is assisting the King or making any plan of coup, adding, “These all are rumours and are parts of conspiracies being hatched to demoralise the national army.”

The source also expressed reservations over the number of arms and combatants registered by the Maoists.

Amid criticism that NA is not making the income and expenditure of the Army Welfare Fund transparent, he said NA recently made public the details of the Army Welfare Fund.

In a move to democratise its structure, the NA has also made the provision that high-ranking officials also take food in the Jawan mess and no low-ranking soldiers will now be allowed to be kept as workers/orderlies at residences of high-ranking officials.

Even though Maoists claim that their People’s Liberation Army will be merged with the national army after the success of peace process, they have not refrained from engaging in demoralising the national army.

In the last couple of years and particularly in the last 11 months, NA has attained a remarkable feat. From a ceremonial army loyal to an institution, it has transformed into a professional and battle-tested fighting force that functions under the democratic polity. As the country navigates its road to peace through the current tortuous transition, the role of the national army functioning under the democratic civilian leadership is certain to be critical. As such, attempts to spread baseless rumours and demoralise it can only backfire. nepalnews.com Mar 29 07

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