|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Royal Nepal Army
Meeting the Maoist
Challenge
For long accustomed to a ceremonial role, the RNA found itself vastly inadequate to take on the Maoist-led insurrection. As a result, in the 10 years of the "People’s War" campaign, nearly 80 per cent of the country has slipped out of the control of state forces and is "rebel territory". Against this background, the book is an informed attempt to put in perspective how and why the RNA failed to cope with the Maoist challenge and how it needs to develop, not only the stomach, but also the muscle and the militaristic means to overcome the threat represented by the Maoists’ violent campaign. The author, a veteran of the Fifth Gurkhas, knows Nepal well and, with this book, brings to the public sphere an understanding of the RNA that could be useful in shaping approaches and policy in India. Mehta’s conclusions are set out with clarity and dwell upon the options available to both India and Nepal, and the implications of these. The book also brings out the dilemma facing New Delhi which is explicitly committed to the twin pillars of a constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy, both of which have been subverted. New Delhi can neither freeze military assistance to Nepal for long nor go all out to modernise and bolster the RNA. The former would increase anti-India sentiments, indirectly boost the Maoists and encourage the monarchy to seek military assistance from elsewhere in the world. To resume assistance and ply the RNA with all that it takes to fight in what is a near civil war situation would mean support to an autocratic monarchy that is manifestly anti-democratic and anti-people. In the prevalent scenario, New Delhi cannot pit itself either against the Maoists – who have an alliance with mainstream political parties – or against the monarchy and consequently the RNA, which enjoys excellent relations with the Indian Army. It is a classic dilemma where any option is a zero-sum game. The only option is to prevail on the King to loosen the authoritarian reins and revive the democratic process. This option is the most appealing because it is convenient, non-intrusive and does not impose the responsibility of taking sides in a democratic struggle. And for that very reason it has not been effective. But Mehta’s book is not about India’s political choices, though that cannot be separated from the security and military priorities involved. There is much in the book that one may disagree with, but there is a lot to debate too. That makes it a useful addition to a subject that should figure more prominently on the agenda of not only South Block but also the political class, which appears to be less moved by developments in present-day Nepal than it was 15 years ago. — S.R. |
THIS book brings to the
fore a number of issues that need to be deliberated by those interested
in Nepal, and particularly its emergence as a multi-party democracy. The
Himalayan Kingdom is caught in an inescapable conflict between the
Maoists and the Royal Nepal Army. Although the mainstream political
parties have struck a pact with the Maoists to jointly resist the
absolutist monarchy of King Gyanendra, the contest is essentially
between two extra-parliamentary forces – the monarchy and the Maoists.
And an alienated monarchy’s only shield against the rebels – and the
democratic aspirations of the people - is the Royal Nepal Army.