Papers Burnt:
We’ve learnt that some miscreants, suspected supporters and relatives of brat Captain Rabindra Bikram Rana, have burnt copies of Kantipur and Kathmandu Post, newspapers that extensively carry reports about the incident, in Chahabil. This again shows the schooling and mentality of army and their elite family.
Gundagardi by army personnel at Durbarmarg
Over 3 dozen soldiers capture police office, torture officers
BY Kosh Raj Koirala
KATHMANDU, July 29- In brazen display of indiscipline, some three dozen armed soldiers from the Nepal Army’s Bhairabnath Battalion seized the Durbarmmarg Ward Police Post at gun-point in the wee hours of Saturday and forcibly took away three police personnel to ‘punish’ them for ‘asking’ an army captain to follow traffic rules.
The soldiers then subjected Police Inspector Ram Bahadur KC, Assistant Sub Inspector Dharmendra Roy and Constable Dilli Ram Tamang to severe torture for two hours at the battalion barracks at Maharajgunj before releasing them.Incident blow-by-blow
At 1 a.m. Saturday, army captain Rabindra Bikram Rana, who was in civvies came out of Go Go Bar at Thamel with his friend Bikendra Singh Bista after heavy drinking, according to Gorakh Bahadur Thapa, a security guard at Himalayan Bank. While emerging from the bar, they got into a quarrel with the bar bouncers. They thrashed one bouncer and got into Rana’s red Gypsy.
continue reading the article in the Kathmandu Post
This incident is yet another example of how our army has become violent and blood thirsty over the years. Army officers and soldiers are increasingly becoming killing machine and torturing equipment. Impunity is at its peak and insane soldiers like Captain Rana think that they can do whatever they want to do. Nepal Army needs serious reform to prevent it from turning into a club of mad people where no one is predictable and anyone will act indiscriminately for no good reason. There must be some problem with the schooling. The impression, which is quite true, is that soldiers are trained in such a way that they never think of good about democracy and human rights. [Captain Rana blamed democracy for traffic action against him when his vehicle was disturbing the flow on the road.) It seems that they are trained to behave against human dignity.
This is not an entirely new incident of army men beating policemen. Even before the army was mobilized against the Maoists, I used to hear numerous incidents in which soldiers would secretely come out of the barracks and beat ‘danthes’ (the one with lathis) and go back to the barracks escaping any action against them. And senior officers in the barracks would save their brat soldiers saying that they were inside the barracks in that particular time of the day (or night) to save themselves from embarrassment.
As reported in the newspapers, this particular incident has raised serious concerns about the effectieness of the chain of command in Nepal Army. Has that been collapsed completely? If not, how could an drunken officer who was on leave go back to the barrack and come out with three dozens of armed soldiers along with two vehicles and go on rampage in a police office? How can the army leadership assure us, the Nepali people, that no frustrated officer would revolt against the command and sabotage the peace process? This is not the first incident of serious failure in army chain of command by the way. We have already seen the worst consequence of failure in chain of command in the form of Nagarkot a few months ago.
Pyar Jung Thapa Ignores Commission
Just as the army gundagardi came to the knowledge of the public, Pyar Jung Thapa, the chief of Nepal Army, has blatantly ignored a summon by High Level Investigation Commission that is looking into the suppression of Jana Andolan II. Thapa was to appear to day in the judicial commission but he went to Pokhara today sending a letter to the commission on the last minute in which he has said that he is going to Pokhara in a pre-scheduled program.
Hell with that pre-scheduled program. This is an open challenge by the army chief, who was recommended to be suspended by the commission but the government didn’t, to the commission constituted by the government formed after the Peoples’ Movement. People of Nepal have gone through enough humiliation when they saw parliament, instead of suspending Thapa, administering oath to him. Now is the time the government should decide something concrete on Thapa. If Thapa has gut, he should go for a coup (and Nepali people will do whatever is needed to do) or obey the orders of the peoples’ government. The status quo can’t continue.
More on atrocities committed inside Bhairabnath Battalion, captain Rans’s battalion:
United We Blog 
Comments
173 responses to “Army Gundagardi. Nepal Army Becoming Rascals Club”
To those who think kantipur should be burnt down, have a good sleep. Perhaps that might help you. Coz you have been too restless since the April movement.
Nepal Army should represent the people, not the king. It is not a professional organization, we have tons of incidents to prove that they are just a bunch of palace sponsored mobs. I don’t think just changing the name would be sufficient. Those found guilty should be court martialled without regards to their family background. This is twenty first century and “stone age” thingies are history.
Most of us represent the “common” public. All we want is rule of law. We didn’t participate in Jana Andolan II just to put congress or communists in power. We have been observing intentional slacking in bring maoists to mainstream. All the concerned parties should be serious. If they ignore, or just try to remain in power despite their “impotence”, jana andolan II is not complete yet. People at large will decide their fate.
Long live democratic republic of Nepal.
Bhudai, I don’t think you have understood the situation. It was not just some army people beating up a bouncer. The idiots went back to their barracks got back up soldiers and weapons and gheraoed the Durbar Marg police station at gun point, took the three police officers who were trying to do their duty and tortured them.
What happened that night has very serious implications. Remember Doramba, Belbari and Nagarkot-well nothing has been learnt from thos atrocities! The Army as it is, is a big liability.
I guess I didn’t read the incident in detail.
It is a sad prediciment. NA should really transform itself into becoming a professional army. Unfortunetly, it looks like no one is going to take the bold initiative of transforming the army just yet.
Look at it from this prespective. Cracking down and radically transforming the army at this stage might backfire. Plus right now, there is this possibility looming that the Maoist may go back to the jungles. In that case a demoralized and dissatisfied army is the last thing you want. I bet the army cheifs are using this card against any political initiative to transform the army.
All in all its a mess!
Kirat – maybe this is too personal so feel free to disregard my question. But what do you do in Nepal currently?
I agree that Pyar Jung should be out. Actually it is just a matter of days before he can infact go on leave before retirement. He should do it.
I don’t think the issue is about an army officer having a brawl with a bouncer. Army people all over the world get in to such brawls. The Military police is there to handle such behaviour. The seriousness of the issue and the danger ocurred when the officer started to take things into his own hands by mobilising truck loads of army men to surround and threaten policemen and then take some of them into the barrack. This is the unforgivable event. Otherwise army men or men in general acting silly in bars etc. once in a while is nothing unusual .
Another thing people should avoid is to again keep on going on about the army being the playground of Ranas and Shahs. Just because this guy was a Rana, does not mean we can go on abusing the entire lot. The other chap was a Basnyat. Otherwise we can say the army guy who massacred people in Nagarkot was from so and so group, so the army is made up of these background of people blah blah blah.
Tackle the issue and refrain from going down the slippery slope. It does not help anyubody.
Horning and others who are confused, the army now and throughout history has represented the power center of the state. If it was the King then they followed his orders, if the parliament then they followed their orders. The fact is the army will follow orders, and in the 1990’s the way the constitution was made, they had two bosses – the King and the PM representing the parliament. If these two did not agree, the army could do nothing. Both had to agree with matters regarding the army. This is not the fault of the army, it was in the constituion. If the army was all for the King then what the hell were they doing for 104 years when Jung Bahadur a simple soldier took over and established the Rana sashan after which the army was following only the orders of Prime Ministers? The fact of the matter is, the army will support whoever is in the modern context the defacto head of state, and in the older context whoever gave Nepal it’s stability. This showed their commitment to a stable Nepal. Of course, the army is always suspicious of weak governments, as this makes them nervous with regard to the stability of the nation – who would’nt be?
But the bottom line is they follow orders. So it is time the PM and parliament behaved like they are representing the people and showed us the strength and drive for stability which not only institutions like the army but the entire nation is looking for.
Bhudai, sorry if I sound immodest but I am a CEO of one Nepal’s larger companies.
scoop, beg to disagree with your initial statement #55. Remember Holleri? Baburam, Prachanda and Badal were cornered but the army refused to listen to the govt. Basically I am trying to say it has been the King that they have been loyal to all the time. Using the ambiguity of the 1990 constitution as an excuse is wrong.
Kirat, b, Bhudai Pundit, Shanti, BKUK, Scoop Just a few cyber hooligans wasting time in wagle’s blog. Get a life do something constructive
Kirat, a CEO of a company haha haha ! you make me laugh haha with your buddhi, you should be Cahukidar
scoop,
you are absolutely right. The present scenario shows that the parliament hate (R)Nepal army but they need support as well. They want to use it if any case maoist not come to their agreement. How come this strategy can be successful?? In this situation definately army will become confused and frustrated. Either parliament has to say we need this army and safeguard it, otherwise if they feel that is not necessary then should disolve it by transfering them to other places. We have seen the cases in Iraq where American instead of taking Saddam’s army in hand they take it as enemy, the result even more than 100 people are being killed in a day including themselves. So, it should not be a child’s game take it and throw it, go against it and expect for their help in need. Similary game the SPA is trying to play with the maoist. They took the support of the maoist arms to make Janandolan-2, now that is being headache to them to lead the maoist in politics. Until and unless new concept are being developed, people will always suffer in this country. No one is hurdle in this country except present leaders of the SPA in Nepal.
Even UN came to the conclusion, they already mentioned that if SPA and maoist need support from the UN then they should be very clear first. Even UN is frustrated with their kind of demand.
In fact both Army and Police are alike when it comes to Human Right in Nepal. Regrettably they think they come from sky and everything is god made for them. Both forces don’t know how to respect general public of Nepal.
It looks from top to bottom of both forces don’t realize where their monthly salary come from. Both bunch of idiots should understand they are paid from TAX PAYERS’ money and should know how to respect general public. At the same time being both Nepalis should respect each other between two forces.
About the General Thapa, he totally disrespected the government of Nepal!! How come his schedule is more important than the instruction of a body appointed by the Nepal government. This is most serious offence the General comitted. Even in the Military Rule, all uniformed soldiers must follow the order of the government. In this scinario the General is at the fault from both Army and goverment side.
It is up to government now what to do with the General. If the government can’t take action to this general then the government is nolonger credible in Nepal.
About the Army any one can imagine when the top brash General does not follow the rules of the government and disobey order from the government then what anyone can expect from his sub-ordinates!!!
The question here is:
1. Do we not have people in the Army or Police forces with Nepli blood?
2. Do they not think about future of our country?
3. If they don’t then what is the point of keeping Army for the country?
The Army is just draining TAX PAYERS money. Which can be utilized for development of the country. If it continues all present Army must be disbanded and form new Army under anothe capable leadership. This general is far too stuburn and he loves himself. This general can’t control the Army or he is good for defence at all. When a soldier fails to obey order of the government then the soldier is not loyal to the nation.
The answer the government must decide what do be done. If government fails to take action in this particular matter general public of Nepal will not respect the government. General public will take that the government only suppresses noraml citizens and does nothing to top government officials. Moreover, general public will be compelled to think that government collaborates with anti-Nationals.
REALITY BITES
1. “Nepal Army Becoming Rascals Club”
–Becoming? When was it any different.
2. “The Army is a state institution.”
–Who says so? It’s a mercenary army that Nepalese rulers like Shahas and Ranas have been renting out for hefty fees. The Nepalese state pays for it but gets nothing in return.
3. “India doesnot want army in Nepal.”
–Who says that? Nepalese Army is like a Gurkha Brigade of Indian Army. Nepalese pay for its upkeep but only Indians and their sttoge king draw benefit from this mercenary force.
4. “if the parliament then they followed their orders.”
–When was it that Nepalese Army followed the parliament? Read some history please. Army has been repeatedely used by its owners to arrest and dismiss sitting prime ministers.
Hahah Kirat, a CEO
yor companu must be “wagle and company”!
Howzzzzzzzzdat!
Regarding Kantipur,
Maoist against the R(NA) gives logic and even SPA against them give some logic but Kantipur against R(NA) gives no logic at all…Every headlines of kantipur is totally against the NA…but why….
Do this Kantipur give logic to us at present situation withour NA the SPA or even this parliament can run infront of maoist…do they have answers….? sorry to say the truth…
Naranji,
Just give us one answer NA should be dissolved or keep it by SPA???? just one answer…
It does not look like we have many options here do we? we do not like the army, we do not like the maoists, we do not like the king and we certainly do not like the political leaders. What is the solution then? When Kirat says that girija has single handedly destroyed the democratic system in Nepal, it makes me wonder if things are ever going to change. How can one person ruin ten years of democray? It also says a lot about our democratic system does not it? We really should have a system where the PM is elected by the entire nation not just one district. and of course, one PM can only remain as a pm for two terms or untill he loses the election.
Mate I don’t blame the army I blame the person who is in top level… this question should be pointed to home ministry as it was done while king took the power all the blame was to king… so what is the difference? People who took the responsibility to handle these moron should be responsible not the NA. There are few rotten potatoes in the sack and it is the job of the executive to remove the rotten potatoes from the sack if they can’t do that why occupy the chair?
coke, funny isn’t it?
Kirat,
Re your comment #57, like I said the 1990 constitution makes it so that the army need BOTH the government’s and the King’s go ahead. This is what I have been stating. If you reversed the situation where the government did not want to engage the maoists in such a situtation, the King wanting it so would have also meant the same stalemate result. Both have to endorse the action. It is not a question of the army not following the government, it is a question of the army adhering to the constitutional laws which in that situation required BOTH parties to agree. This is changed now, so there will be no problems in following government orders now.
Think – if the army followed the government when all these fellows were surrounded without the consent required constitutionally of King Birendra it would be (at that time) an unconstitutional act (right or wrong). Would that have been okay by you? Is it then okay for the army to act unconstitutionally? It is plain wrong to hold the army in the wrong for that event, it should have been the duty of the PM to convince King Birendra.
scoop, I hear what you say but in my opinion the Army only listens to the king. They give f.. all about the constitution. Just my opinion though.
The reality is: we can defeat the Maoists without a king. We can defeat the Maoists without the SPA. We cannot defeat the Maoists without an army. How do we affect change at the top of the Nepal Army and get them back on track fighting the Maoists?
I really do not see the point of discussion anymore. Everyone seem to think that there needs to be reform within NA. However, everyone(specially Kirat) seem to have their own grudges of personal nature. Kirat does not seem to have the solution but goes army bashing perpetually. What we need to realize is there are going to be mistakes and abuses made by some of the army officials but there should be a proper body to take actions against the ones involved. Kirat wants the NA to accept they are a bunch of morons and murderers and then go and fight a war with the maoists which could take their lives. For what, the King? No for the country.
Kirat also talks abut setting an example by taking action against the army. All good, but examples must also be set by taking action against the maoist. Political goals should and could never justify terrorism or 13 thousand dead bodies. If not, then why should the army fight the maoists? would not it be safer for them to join the maoists instead? they give their lives (and some army have taken innocent lives aswell)away for the country and they are called murderers and rapists. If Maoists do come to power, would not the Maoists then have an investigating committee that would take physical actions against the NA (whoever was involved in killing their fellow cadres)? So why fight and die to protect people like Kirat when they could join the Maoists and rule?
The present government need to have NA on their side no matter what KIRAT thinks. of course, it does not mean forgive everything but i do think they need to be a little more sensitive and stop viewing them as the enemy.
b, since your rant is about me let me defend myself.
a. I have no grudge against the Army and if you have read my previous posts I have many times explained I want the Army to be stronger and more professional so that a bunch of rebels like the Maoists are never in a position to take up arms and hold the country to ransom.
The only way to make the Army stronger and more professional is a thorough reform.
b. I think the Army should always be loyal to the people of Nepal through their elected govt. and not some idiot king.
c. I think the Army should be held to a very high standard as it is a national institution. We want to be proud of our Army not ashamed of it. This is why the Army should never be compared to the level of Maoists who are basically insurgents/rebels etc.
Now if you really think about what I have said of the Army, with an open mind, you will understand that I want good for the Army. I am not sure you and your ilk can comprehend that though.
And Kirat,
How is loyalty towards the parliament created among the NA? is there a special syrup they can use? The fact is that there needs to be steps taken by the parliament in that direction not the NA. The parliament needs to find a way of winning the confidence of the NA. NA will always put the nation before the King as the country can remain without the king but eh king will not remain without the nation. after all, the NA is under the parliament the last i heard. Are you saying the parliament is incapable of handling the army? If the army does not care about our constitution, then does it not mean that our system is weak? I am sure if most people could get away with breaking laws they would break them.
b your last posting # 74 I could not understand. What’s your point.
Kirat,
We’ll have to now put them to the lithmus test. The parliament has made it clear that this army is now under them. I also assume that the Supreme Court has also endorsed it.
It is just a matter of time before we see whether the army is:
1. As I suspect a Nepalese institution – there to follow orders of the defacto government, and safeguard national security and stability.
OR
2. Are they just as you suspect a bunch of goons, there for the personal use of the royal palace.
Hopefully there is no number 3 as well – personal ambitions of army officers intending to take matters independently into their own hands.
Till now the army had just obeyed the order. If it started to enter in the politics then that will become more dangerous than some current incidents. In this game maoist’s favoured army will lead within the NA in future who after all definately play a greater role in the politics. I am seeing from every aspect congress is going to be affected first in future, and second one might be UML.
fanta,
People will be affected first. Then, everyoneelse will be happily abroad.
Given that the Ministry of Defence has suspended the 3 dozen army miscreants and are holding them for investigation, can we hope that there will be further action up the chain of command?
It just shows that we are sooo gullible that we believe everything that is printed on- no wonder “Kag le Kan laguo” is so apt for us. When are we gonna see beyond the obvious and the print.
But first lets learn to look in the mirror- before we pass the judgment and punishment.Is it any wonder that we fail to see the big picture but act expert in tits bits of affairs, be it reform of RNA or not trusting SPA nor Maoist. The way the things stand, there’s nothing that can bind, hold or make us believe in Nepal. Its amazing to see “Kichidi” boiling over but we are satisfied with our two pence worth of insight & comments posted in this blog site.
As for Neil assertion- define Black pather for me rather than Maoist- it’s beyond your league, buddy.
Are you saying that they have not been detained as reported?
Are you saying that they have not been detained as reported?
Your aside to Neil; is that a reference to the Black Panthers party in the U.S.? Or to the old Special Ops group in VietNam? What possible relevance to Nepal can they have? I don’t understand your point.
seems only few people are writting comments again and again. using this blog as a chat site. wagle jee , why dont u open one chat site for them? it would be great news for them.
scoop, I don’t think it is so black and white as your two options.
I certainly don’t think that the Army are a bunch of goons though there definitely are a lot of goons in the Army. But isn’t it obvious with the incidents like Doramba, Belbari and Nagarkot that there is something wrong? And till date the Army obviously is more pro-king then pro-civilian govt. Now is the time for them to change. Hopefully they will.
Well, anyone heard of the tibet border incident (somewhere in that area)? The road has been blocked since day before yesterday by local villagers because a chinese truck ran over a village child on the highway. The chinese apparently paid substantial amount of money to the child’s family (mutual consent) but handed the money to the police to be given to the family. Now the police have decide to keep all the money to themselves. The road is entirely closed from barabise and the villagers are protesting against the police. It looks like even the police are a rotten bunch and need reform of an extreme kind. They do not make us any proud either. Maybe the police had been secretly pledging loyalty to the palace aswell that is why they are such a rotten bunch.
b, no doubt about the police needing reform. Most of the robberies in Kathmandu in the recent months have implicated policemen.But we are talking about the army. Is this not a sad country where the entire police force, army, king, political leaders, citizens all need reform? A real sad situation. But for me what is worse is a lot of you guys won’t even admit the truth! Some of you act as if there is no problem. That is real sad.
I believe the main mistake is comitted by the home ministry. Instead of sending the general behind the bars for investigation this givernment admistered oth for him. Now see he became the top decission maker. He completely ignored the order of the government he continued with his personal plan to Pokhara.
Nothing was seen that important in Pokhara. NA is not fighting a war in Pokhara why was his visit so important? That was only lame excuse the general really wanted to challange the government.
There is no way to blame the general because our short sighted politicians are like that. So let us see what happens in nepal. I only pray to god at least our Nepal improves. There will be better opportunity for our future generations. By the look of it nothing indicates to that direction but being a Nepali have to have fat hope.
BK,UK
You snatched the words from my mouth. This blog has been a chat corner for few people and a poster place to slander some one for another few.
after i checked ur site i must say its great job by dinesh wagle. but still didnt get good eyes to see this good job. opositely attracted some defenders who are ill- natured with self interest.
i want u to keep it up. great job.
thanks
The latest incident involving some people of the Army is BAD. The Ministry of Defence must tell the people what actions the Army high command is taking. An institution like the Army must always abide by the law, never against it. It must uphold the laws of the land. It cannot be allowed to break it.
As for Black Panther- All I want say is “keep your hands to yourself.” In regards to looking for loose ends and discrepancies within us- first look in the mirror. Habit of taking a high road by few does not bode well for the country.
If you start the scratch- there’s no telling when the bottom will fall out. So before start of the scratch be sure which road will you follow. Lets not pretend we have all the answer and remedy with our limited knowledge of ground reality (fed through biased publications and hearsay)- we are no different from any other.
This army is a farce. I am beginning to be convinced that they pose a bigger danger to the public than the Maoists Army. They just cant get over the fact that times have changed and so is their fate. People like Rana treat like NA is their playground and that they can do anything. They need to be taught a lesson. The NA needs to be restructed the sooner the better. Its a time bomb that can go off anytime.
BURNING BOOKS, OR NEWSPAPERS HAVE ONLY SERVED TO MAKE THE MASSES AWARE OF THE CRIMES-AGAINST-THE-PEOPLE…
It did not work for the Nazies in Germany and it wan’t work for the “RNA-Nazies” in Nepal !!
SPA is playing a dangerous game. While they are reluctant to restructure NA for fear that Maoists could gain the upper hand, they also understand that the same NA could kick their asses and get KG back on the throne.
The will of people after so much struggle never really figured in their agenda.
Nazies….??? what are you guys talking about? Oh my Blog!!!
Give Jews some break, will you? Keep it resonable. In fact why don’t you keep your teeth together.
What a chaos. The Maoist say they will not lay down their arms before the CA elections. Girija says the Maoist cannot join the givernment until they lay down their arms and the army is defying orders of the court!
Good heavens! what a mess…
to raj & co:
stop whining like a little girl. grow some balls and state your opinion. its a blog for crying out loud! i don’t understand why you complain its a chat corner for a few people.
This is not a case of one or two isololated cases of rotten apples in Nepal Army. Nepal Army as an institution has failed to respect Human Rights of Nepalese and protect Nepali people. Seriously, Nepal Army looks more like gangs loyal to Ranas and Shahs but paid by poor Nepali people’s taxes than a professional army.
It is riduculous that Nepal Army has not built better control over arms during off duty after the Nagarkot incident, where the off duty soldier killed a dozen innocent villagers. And there are countless such incidents some of which were reported by Kantipur.
You can make one or two mistakes. But if you do not learn from it, then I think it is time to get rid of it. The first step is to get rid of Bhairab Nath Battallion. This battalion was responsible for killing 49 people in custody. These inhuman soldiers from this battalion are not going to learn. They all should be fired and punished.
If the Nepal Army learns from this criticism and corrects itself so be it. Like GM said they should have learnt from the Nagarkot incident. If however they take no corrective action then the SPA and the people should enforce it. People power!
By the look of it Nepal will never have peace. After all this time the situation is pointing back to square one. This is because of inexperience governance.
In addition politicians agree on some points. As soon as the meeting is over they seems to forget or ploiticians are week to argue with Maoists on the point before reaching an agreement. Because of that everything is going back and forward. This type of negotiation never ends.
The politicians have to be rigid and discuss hard on the point. Should not be nice when time comes. It is showing that our politicians are immature and agreeing in everything at the discussion. When they come out then they start rethinking about it. This is what is happening. In this respect it looks Maoist are much more mature and they know what they are looking for.
Come on you politicians you guys must grow up. Take strong decissions. If you don’t agree never leave the room until you are satisfied. Make sure the poinst are in favour of general public. You always think that you are representing the general public of Nepal. Moreover, you are there to rebuild the country think about Nepal not about you.
The manly decission must be like bullet once you agree never regret. You always comply with it. Please you politicians don’t show your imputy attitude in the government and delay peace process. If you feel you are unable to do it just resign some will be there to take over.
The dangerous games will be over with one simple move – The laying down of arms by the maoists. This is the crux of the matter.