The government should appoint a new general for the top post of Neapal Army to make people feel that it is actually serious in reforming and democratizing the army that is traditionally considered the private force of the king.
By Dinesh Wagle
Wagle’s Web Log
Poet Arjun Parajuli was reciting his creations in MaHa Gaijatra comedy show the other night. The following two lines were striking: “This government thinks the army is under its control,” the bearded poet, who is also popular as loktantrik kavi, said. “Yes, its very much under control. That is why when summoned at Patan, he goes to Pokhara!” Parajuli was referring to Chief of Nepali Army Pyar Jung Thapa’s blatant ignorance to the high level probe commission formed by the present government to look into atrocities committed by the autocratic royal regime. Those generals who ignored the commission include Rukmangad Katwal who has been promoted to the acting Chief of the Army Staff Monday by the present government. (Thapa has gone on leave Friday one month before retirement.) Katwal has been widely accused of suppressing the peoples’ movement in April. People have started protesting his promoting and nomination. A group of human rights organization yesterday issued a press release protesting the appointment of Katwal to the top post of Nepal Army. This nomination comes at a time when the whole country is eagerly waiting for reforms within the army and democratization of the armed force of Nepal.
Human Rights Activists Protest Katuwal’s Promotion
KATHMANDU, Aug 15 – Twenty-three human rights activists representing different human rights organizations have strongly protested the government decision promoting Lt. Gen. Rukmangat Katuwal to the post of acting army chief.
Issuing a joint statement Tuesday, they have alleged that Katuwal was involved in human rights violations when he was the chief of the regional headquarters of the Nepali Army in Nepalgunj. “The promotion indicates that the government has a weak willpower to stop impunity,” they said in the statement.
They have demanded that the government respect human rights and rule of law by stripping Katuwal off responsibilities.
The human rights activists protesting Katuwal’s promotion include, among others, Sushil Pyakurel, Dr Gauri Shankar Lal Das, Subodh Pyakurel, Dr Arjun Karki, Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Dr Renu Rajbhandari, Mandira Sharma, Shovakar Budhathoki, Bhawani Kharel, Kundan Aryal.
Some people reason that Katwal being the second in command automatically deserves to be promoted to the top post. Yes that’s right but only if he was clean and unchallenged. This is a different situation and the situation is serious one. Katwal has been accused of violating human rights and high level commission is proving his acts. In such scenario, he should have sidelined and suspended. There are many other able and uncontroversial generals in the army who, if promoted to the top post, can handle the organization. The organization will continue functioning without Rukmangad Katwal. In addition to the allegation of violating human rights, Katwal has also been accused of decreasing his age illegally so as to lengthen his stay in the army. This issued has now reached at the court.
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Comments
101 responses to “Nepal Army Chief: Find a General With Clean Image”
Can we please let our military get back to the vital business of fighting the war with the Maoists? Stop whining and crying and wake up to the reality that the survival of our nation is at stake!
Really,
Let’s not be nit picking. The peace talks are probably going to fall through because the maoists will not even allow the UN to decommisssion their arms. Everyone is just biding their time. When the inevitable happens and $hit hits the fan I for one would like the likes of General Katwal on the helm, a person liked by his rank and file not a General who panders to clever and twisted politicians and who cannot think for his men and women. Limbu, Katwal writes articles? That should be a positive thing, how many Generals do you know who can lead, fight and write as well?
Limbu.
Further, with regard to these alleged atrocities that Katwal committed according to you – let me say he takes orders like every true army man, the responsibility has already been taken by the King as he is being hung out to dry. Let’s not go overboard. We should now move on and talk about how to handle these maoist murderers. I’m sure arms laying down is not in the picture for them and I’m sure they will not just give up due to a sudden dash of good feelings and asked to be tried for war crimes.
Unless you personally want to see a maoist victory or at least their dominance, I’m afraid you had better get your head into pragmatic gear.
Well, pretty soon it will be too late to save nepal if it already is not. The fact is the Maoists were funded and supported by india. Now india is going to withdraw her support for the terrorist in Nepal and the maoists are going to be left out in the cold. Hence the confidence of Mr. GPK.
It has become really easy for india now. The King has been sidelined or marginalized with absolutely no power while the spa are going to fight against each other for petty things like power and money (may be not petty for them). There is not going to be any election at all. At least no election for the CA. Nepal is a virtual state of India but without any responsibilites for the indian government.
If the king can be removed through referendum, why the hell do we need a CA for? all the other changes can be brought about through parlimentary declarations. So, what the hell do we need ca for?
I am very much agree with Mr. B. Our contry is weakened in every aspect. King is weak, national army is weak, democratic forces are weak and maoist itself is weak. Now India can use its strategies whatever it likes. Sometimes I feel it is a GREAT GRAND DESIGN OF INDIA to make all sector weak and to make this country failure. Many of us are already sold to India in the name of fame and money.
B,
I think you’re bang on. If the King is going to be removed or ceremonial via a referendum, there is no need for a CA – waste of money, waste of time probably waste of lives as well.
It seems to be all about the King, and if the result is republic even more the case for no CA elections.Constitution can be chamges in a second. We have seen examples of this since April, has anybody stopped any of the changes, even though legally and constitutionally it is wrong? No legal expert, lawyer or judge worth their salt can claim that the parliament is acting as per legal means, all that is quoted is “the popular movement”, well these parliamentarians should think before they jump, because if tomorrow there is another “popular movement” can it be justified to hang them out to dry as well?
Let me also add that there is another popular movement going on and has been for some time, one without arms or street mobocracy, it is the unanimous movement to tell the maoists to lay down their arms – but do they listen? Are popular movements only geared to kick out the King? What can be more loktantrik or prajatantrik, whatever you may call it, then the call to lay down arms? It is well past time for all to follow the “popular mandate”, not only the King otherwise the suspicions of B could very well prevail.
Pk,
I could not understand you because if King is to be blamed for all he and his men did, then there was no need of suspending or sacking the highest ranking police offcers.Why on earth are you trying to advocate in favour of murderers like PJT and Katuwal.
And also you say that if the Monarchy’s fate is decided before the CA elections, then there is no need of CA. But there is not only Monarchy which needs to be decided, there are a hell lot of other questions which must be settled through the representive institution like CA. This CA has been demanded by the Nepalese people from 2007 BS. So CA must be held as per the aspirations of the people.
Do you think that Katuwal is so important, without whom whole country will fall apart ? There are so many able Generals who can take charge easily and control the army.
Limbu,
“Do you think that Katuwal is so important, without whom whole country will fall apart ? There are so many able Generals who can take charge easily and control the army.”
The country has already fallen apart for you kind information. Why do you want katuwal out? Because he did not participate in the Jana Andolan 2 against the King? What did he do wrong? On one hand you say it is ok for GPK to order the police to rape, kill and torture communists that initially gave rise to the maoists but on the other you talk about prosecuting the army officials! Why only the Army and what is you self interest in it? You talk about making Prachanda the president or PM of this nation even though he initiated the war that took more than 13000 lives but mr. katwal needs to be prosecuted for not revolting against the government during the latest maoist revolution of April? If everyone can be forgiven for corruption, murders and misgovernance why should Mr. katwal be prosecuted for following orders? are you saying that mr. katwal has done more damage to interest of this nation than Mr. GPK, or Mr. MKN? come on, what do you have against this army? or are you only against them because they consist of ranas and thakuris and you are just a racist A@@ trying to hide your inferiority complex by blaming others of atrocities that you can not even prove except for words of Mr. Wagle who has already created an image of an honest unbiased journalist?
Did you hear about the police atrocities on the news last night. What now, democratize the police department aswell. Why do you relate the army abuses with the institution of monarchy? does it mean that the policies abuses can be related to the Koirala clan then?
Sorry, #58 second last line should read “police” and not “policies”
Get rid of Koiralas and democratize the police department i say.
If you question the contribution of the institution of Monarchy in Nepal and say we should get rid of it, what contributions have the maoists or the spa made to the nation? except for corruption, mismanagement of the nation, murders and terrorism.
Everyone plese visit uvanepal. blogspot.com, it has an interesting article.
Limbu,
First, the King is blamed by the likes of the SPA and maoists for everything, and they are punsihing him and his further pinishment is pending. Therefore if he was in charge and he is resp[onsible for the alleged atrocities, he has taken it in the chin, the others should be left as they are merely taking orders.
And secondly, yes this is all about the King for the likes of SPA and the maoists don’t have illusions thinking otherwise. So if the King is out, the constitution can be changed anyways, there is no need for CA elections, plain and simple general elections is enough. Infact, if they wanted they can do it now and a lot has been done already since April. These chaps just don’t want to do it because the maoists want to hold these elections come hell or high water with their arms so that they can by hook or by crook win the elections and make a totalitarian communist constitution, – did I need to spell all this out to you?
Third, please tell us who these able Generals are?
The questions now started to arises what kind of agreement and peace talk the SPA and Maoist are telling to the people? All they said king was the barrier for the peace and if this peace and harmony among them not exist and return to the war then people will say the SPAM itself is the barrier for the peace and development of the country.
It is too much now to play with NA without knowing the consequences of it. If seven faction of political parties try to break it down then our whole security forces will be very weak and it may bring more disaster in the country. If SPA need security from NA then it should be quite and let it run according to its system, just try to improve it not try to politicise it. Army do not understand the politics they only understand their strategies made by their senior and themselves and obey it. If SPA ever try to drag them in politics and try to divide it into 8 parts i.e. SPAM. The end result will be more worst than this and country will suffer for longer period. Just imagine what happened if one faction of the army tie-up with PLA?? Once the NA get the taste of politics and power then it will start to play the political games.
I think this blog is full of mandales right now. Be fore there were democratic people like Bhudai Pundit, Kirat and Prakash who could understand my points.
I do not think that country has already fallen apart which can be saved by the likes of Katuwal.My point was that the State should not or must not discriminate its citizens while dealing with them. It is because Girija is very weak and fearful of the army because of arms they have. Nearly 2 Million people came out to surround the Royal Palace in April. Why he could not suspend PJT and Katuwal( like IGPs, AIGs) for what they did to the people ?
I do not think our jana andolan is complete. Our leaders should have led the people inside the Palace so that till now it would have been already a museum so the free citizens of Nepal could visit it.
LIMBU is the new name of KIRAT,who thinks he knows everything and knows nothing.He used to infest this blog and said such stupid things that he thought its better to change his name to hidehimself.
Yestai jaati badi,kattar terrorist harule garera hamro desh yesto bhayo.Shut ur idiotic mouth up bro.
limbu…u r cheap….go drink some soda…this is not ur microphone where u test ur dutty language…..
All democrats have gone and this proves that mandales are ruling in this blog. These are all king’s ass lickers.If PJT and Katuwal are only savers of Nepal, go to hell, you guys.
cry baby cry…
“If PJT and Katuwal are only savers of Nepal, go to hell, you guys.”
If you have a savior in hiding, please bring him out now. The time is very short indeed!
Ahhhhh Katuwal is staying for a full term I can wager on that. It is pointless because nothing will remove but another jana andolan and that will not happen. Please now koirala and party will find a parley with the army and then they can finally negotiate equally with the maoists. if the maoists try to go overboard, bammmmm, two in the stomach and one in the head for Prachanda. That will bring them permanently back to the negotiation table. If the maoists want war then it is war that they will get but this time the army and government will have international support and arms and training plus the ever essential logistics supplied by china, india and us. The maoists want to be the shining path well like peru nepal needs to take care of our prachanda path. Then next hit should be baburams fundamentalist wife, her i vote for two inthe kidney just to make a point. Its war and everything is fair in love and war.
Limbu,
Just besause people don’t agree with you does’nt mean they are mandales or any other affiliations that you can think of. Do we lable you a maoist then?
Yeah i can be a maoist becuase all the resources are used up by Bahun Chhetris Combo. There is nothing left for other communities. Once we have to invade Kathmandu and loot the richesse of Kathmandu and bring them to our villages.Because there is nothing left there.
there nothing there to start with. All nepalese gold was looted from tibet and lucknow. what a dickweed.
Change the topic to – How about media houses and journalists with a clean image? Are there any? Should’nt we change them as well?
LIMBU=KIRAT=MAOIST
yesko kura ekchoti sarsarti hernus ta,dogmatic maoist dog.
agraha-what cheek! Thakuris and Bahuns have been running this country (what a terrible job they have done!) for the last 200 years (last I checked Prachanda and Baburam were Bahuns)and you blame marginalised communities who till now have not been allowed a role in the decision making process of this country? Go on blame everyone else for your miserable life too.
I wont blame anyone,only stupid idiots like u blame.Its vision not blame that works for a country.
KIRAT ra LIMBU EUTAI MANCHE KO NAAM HO!!!!!
agraha, man I feel sorry for you. If it helps to ease your pain ask Dinesh if Limbu and me are the same posters. I am sure he will clear it up for you.
Kirat,
Where you have been man, for a long time ? This new Agraha and the likes were advocating the good qualities of Katuwal to be new chief whereas I thinK he should be punished by suspension if Girija has to survive for long run.
Hi Limbu, If you want to read about Katuwal, read what the last issue of Nepali Times has to say about him. Seems like a guy with no morals who would do anything just to move up in life.
Anyway most of the morons here can’t even accept the simple truth that if the Army had been competent enough the Maoists would have never got away with what they have. If the Army had been good enough who knows KG still might have been in power as the destroyer of the Maoists. But we all know how good the Army was at fighting the Maoists.
Limbu
They all looted Kathmandu, because that was the only motivation PN Shaha invaded here. After that Shah looted Kathmandu, Rana looted Kathmandu, Thapa looted Kathmandu, Bahun-Chettri looted the richneess of kathmandu, and yes Limbu go ahead loot the kathmandu because your’s peoples are only Gurhka that is waiting the looter’s list. go and join happily the looter’s club. you arse hole.
Hey Limbu, Rajan Limbu–a notorious looter–has aleardy done your job, do you wanna join him? because he wanted to become a famous international thug/looter or something. go ahead man, make your community more proud.
mp sharma jasto bahun lai lutna hoina katu parcha, hamro baje haru lai luteko ko chai birse cha bahun haru le. aaba hamro palo k garchas????? this is fcking rebellious nature of ours…..
mp sharma you racist git.
CEO Kirat, i guess you own an answer to someone; which is, what is relation between almost terrorist and/or home grown terrorist to Kirat/Limbu.
poor matabali, you just proved that you guys belong to the “Axis of Evil” along with maoist and mandale.
forget about past, put aside your f**king rebellion. and look forward make your country happy.
mp sharma, the first thing to do to make this country happy is to exterminate empty headed, racist morons like you.
so gobar headed CEO you admit you are a true home grown terrorist hence part of Axis of Evil.
mp sharma
i am sure “m” of m p sharma stand for mandale, hence you yourself a part of axis of evil. you bugheaded racist.
Kirat ko guff sardarji le TV kinna gako joke jastai ho.Everytime he goes to buy TV in diff attire the Shop owner says i dont sell TVs to sardar ji.Tired,he asks how do u know i am a sardarji,then the owner says no one else says TV to an oven!!
So,debro bhote,ta ra tero kura naam pherdai ma change hudaina.so,
Kirat = limbu= matwali,saale debro bhote haru.Maobadi ko matiyar!!
Well, in the anonymous blogosphere people like mp sharma and agraha truely reveal themselves don’t they? Hey you guys will always remain anonymous and can make as many racist comments you want in the cowardly safety of your anonymity. But when you wake up in the morning to wash your face I hope you like what you see in your mirror. I pity you sorry racist coward losers.
No wander nepali people cant do without the monarchy. We are like juvenile infants that needs constant wacking lest we go astray. This way i dont see Nepal going anywhere forget loosing the monarchy. I vote for killing half the maoists, the royal family, and the most of the smaller terrorist outfits, and oh plus the shiv sena dudes who make being hindu look bad. this way we can solve the land problem, and we will not have anyone to hate and the will settle nicely with people trying to agitate. Usually there is calm before the storm but in nepal we need the storm before the calm.
Well, in the anonymous blogosphere, gobar ganesh declares himself a CEO, a hardcore maoist/terrorist presents himself as a democrat and so on. so true, kirat. lol
oy agraha ‘dhoti’, tero lalu lai aaba k sell hanchas?? mt everest? ki lumbini? tero purkha haru aasti bharkhar nepal chireko ho, tero hindusm state hatayera secular banauda gidi bhayo. tero bahun haru dherai bhayera bhutan ko raja le pani sabai lai kheda ko ho thaha cha, nepal ko jasto nagaros bhanera. hami aafai rebels haru ho maobadi huna pardaina, bahun haru le kaile bujhdaina, aaba dekchas hamro ruup, herdai jaa, katera bagmati falchas ki k garchas garrr….
well mp sharma can your tiny brain spot the difference? If I am speaking the truth in this blog then I am a CEO and a democrat. And if you are being truthful than you are nothing but a racist coward. Peace be with you loser.
bahun propoganda doesn’t work, it looks more like mp sharma= agraha= BAHUNBAAD= dhotibaad. we r not like our granfathers tolerate everything, hav u heard thiis or not many bahuns were chased away from pachthar n other areas then, so did bhutanese king cause most of them were bahuns, they didn’t want it to be like nepal. hear the truth n face it this is happening now, this ain’t about shit maoists, this is our own revolt, own home grown revolt……
gobar ganesh kirat is CEO of a home-grown blah blah…? may be you are; but democrat? impossible. speaking about truth, lets get straight to the question. what is the relation between almost-terrorist and kirat/limbu?
Look no need for racist comments. I agree bahuns have been in top level of beurocracy for a long time and have failed to deliver effectively. But there is nothing to gain by poisoning the whole environment by posting racist comment on this blog against one caste of people. THe fact also is other than bahuns, others have not done enuff aswell. You can always say the elites of the society have blocked all with limited resources or underpreviledged ones then stop looking for excuses. You want rights, go to court but contribute to the society. This nation will gain nothing by these poisonous racist comments. It is proper, effective and impartial judicial system that can provide you your rights. Others are going to abuse you if they can and it is only human nature. You can look at the history of the entire world if you want and you would realize that if a group of people or a community gets an opportunity to abuse another, they will do it. So, we need to strengthen our judicial system and dilute our hatred towards one another. We should stop feeling like victims and stop siting on our asses and stand up and contribute to the society we all claim to represent.