‘RNA gains major successes in keeping peace’


January 25, 2003
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KATHMANDU, Jan. 25: Defence Secretary Madan Prasad Aryal has said that the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has achieved significant successes in keeping the peace and security situation under control.

The Defence Secretary said that the government was importing 10,000 modern weapons from the United States and Belgium to bolster the strength of the security forces. “The government is also bringing in three more helicopters from England, and one of them has already arrived,” he said at an interaction programme today. Replying to a query, Aryal said the Americans will be taking away the old weapons of the RNA.

The total strength of the RNA at present stands at about 60,000, and 6,000 more will be increased this year.

Aryal, however, refuted news reports that there were foreign troops in Nepal to assist the Nepalese security forces. But he said there are about three dozens foreign army personnel for joint training exercises. “This has been a routine since the last decade or so.”

He also informed that the government is going to rehabilitate more than a thousand families displaced from their homes by the Maoists’ terrorist activities.

“There will be five such centres in each of the development regions, and both the victims of the Maoists, and the Maoists, who surrender, will be provided shelter in them.”

Disclosing the government’s plan to set up separate centres for the Maoists, who are arrested, he said national and international human rights activists will be allowed meet and investigate on them at those centres.

However, Aryal said as the security forces have been fighting against Maoists terrorism, it should not be taken as victory or defeat on either side.

The army has been mobilised under Article 118 of the Constitution of the Kingdom and on recommendation of the National Security Council (NSC), and the Prime Minister is the chairman of the Council.

The NSC secretariat was established in February last year and it has been mobilising the RNA, Nepal Police and armed police forces under the unified command of RNA.

The government announced the mobilisation of the RNA for the first time on November 26, 2001 after the terrorists attacked army barracks in Dang, Solukhumbu and Syangja within a span of few days.
After the deployment of the RNA, 3,590 Maoist terrorists have been confirmed killed and about 430 others are suspected to be injured. Before the army came into operation, 1,026 terrorists were confirmed killed by the police forces. On the security forces, 244 army personnel have lost their lives and 373 others injured.

The Defence Secretary also said that only about 15 per cent of the total weapons looted by the terrorists have been recovered. They include .303 rifles 265 and 6,002 rounds of ammunitions; 42 shotguns; 243 12 bore guns; 2605 muskets; one .38 revolver; 46 .22 Magnum rifles and 285 rounds ammunition; 169 pistols and 260 bullets; 10 revolvers and two stenguns.

Aryal also informed that the security forces had seized about Rs. 11.1 million in cash, 41 kg gold and 269 kg silver that were looted by the Maoists from different banks and individuals in the last one year.
The Defence Secretary said that the army has been deployed to maintain peace and security and to protect the development infrastructures throughout the country.

The RNA has also been playing a vital role in development activities such as road constructions under the Integrated Security and Development Programme.

Secretary Aryal said the RNA does not have sufficient budget for the security and development activities, but he conceded that the government itself is constrained financially.

Talking about the existing violence and destructive situation, Aryal said that the ultimate solution of the crisis should be found through peace talks, and that the army is not against peace talks.
He also said that the RNA, which had a glorious history since it was established two hundred years ago, was very serious and sincere in respecting and safeguarding the human rights of the people.
“If any army personnel is find of violating human rights, the government is ready to compensate the victim and take action against the guilty,” he said.

The Royal Nepalese Army came into existence formally in 1762-63 AD during the reign of late King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Later, the then Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa began the process of providing them training and equipping them with new weapons.