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Article from front page of today's KTM POST.
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Soldiers fume at political in-fighting
By Damakant Jayshi
Nepalganj, May 24
Two days after Nepal's politics was thrown into a turmoil by in-fighting within the Nepali Congress party, soldiers and officers active in the anti-Maoist operations in the western region are fuming. Their anger is directed to the game of political one-upmanship currently taking place in Kathmandu.
Several soldiers and officers this reporter interviewed had the same incredulous query How could the politicians keep fighting when the need of the hour was explicit unity and support for the security forces in the field?
Many of the soldiers reacted sharply to Wednesday's NC Central Working Committee (CWC) decision to direct its government to withdraw the proposal of extension of emergency registered in the parliament, and the dissolution the House thereafter.
Speaking to The Kathmandu Post on condition of anonymity, these armymen who have had close brush with the rebels during recent fighting alleged that the politicians were giving in to the machinations of the Maoists. "The Maoists have been trying just that: to create political instability", fumed and army commander who had taken part in the Lisne Lek and Khabang fights with the Maoists in Rolpa district recently.
What these men in green feel about their political masters is an echo of the remark of the army chief, General Prajwalla SJB Rana who created such a furore in Kathmandu some time back. "We are fighting battles here, and the politicians are playing a game of one-upmanship oblivious of our needs and difficulties", said the commander.
When asked if the political upheavals in the capital have affected their morale adversely, the commander replied, "Our morale is very high as our task is clear cut and we know what we have to do. Although we have nothing to do with politics, we are not amused with was is going on right now."
The armymen's concern is whether this turmoil would have a negative impact on the supplies an resources to the army. "Most of our men are fighting the battles even without the basic needs", the commander said.
Reacting to the Maoists' recent request for dialogue and cease-fire, the officer dismissed the proposals as strategic ploy. He said the army was gaining on the ground, and hence the proposals by the rebel leadership. But he added that to wipe out insurgency from the country, the political class has to be united.
Another officer, who had had a close call with the Maoists some months back, said that the army was now aware of the Maoists' modus operandi. "After studying the past Maoist attacks on the army and police posts, we are certain that they have unfailingly resorted to "wave attack" by making use of human shields," said this officer.
The officer added that those used as human shields by the Maoist were "reluctant recruits" who are given a quick training on hand-made explosives and rifles. They are the first ones to launch the attacks followed by other hardcore militia, he said.
A cross-section of army men admitted that they were aware of the predicament of the villagers who do not easily come forward to give information to the soldiers about the movement of the rebels. "We know that as soon as we leave our temporary bases, the Maoists will come back and threaten the villagers", said a soldier."
---end of article---
The NVN used sappers like this. Send in a wave of "reluctant recruits" who would otherwise be shot by the NVN if they refused to comply. Give them junk rifles and tell the next wave to pick up the rifles from the first (dead) wave and charge on.
Bill Marsh
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Soldiers fume at political in-fighting
By Damakant Jayshi
Nepalganj, May 24
Two days after Nepal's politics was thrown into a turmoil by in-fighting within the Nepali Congress party, soldiers and officers active in the anti-Maoist operations in the western region are fuming. Their anger is directed to the game of political one-upmanship currently taking place in Kathmandu.
Several soldiers and officers this reporter interviewed had the same incredulous query How could the politicians keep fighting when the need of the hour was explicit unity and support for the security forces in the field?
Many of the soldiers reacted sharply to Wednesday's NC Central Working Committee (CWC) decision to direct its government to withdraw the proposal of extension of emergency registered in the parliament, and the dissolution the House thereafter.
Speaking to The Kathmandu Post on condition of anonymity, these armymen who have had close brush with the rebels during recent fighting alleged that the politicians were giving in to the machinations of the Maoists. "The Maoists have been trying just that: to create political instability", fumed and army commander who had taken part in the Lisne Lek and Khabang fights with the Maoists in Rolpa district recently.
What these men in green feel about their political masters is an echo of the remark of the army chief, General Prajwalla SJB Rana who created such a furore in Kathmandu some time back. "We are fighting battles here, and the politicians are playing a game of one-upmanship oblivious of our needs and difficulties", said the commander.
When asked if the political upheavals in the capital have affected their morale adversely, the commander replied, "Our morale is very high as our task is clear cut and we know what we have to do. Although we have nothing to do with politics, we are not amused with was is going on right now."
The armymen's concern is whether this turmoil would have a negative impact on the supplies an resources to the army. "Most of our men are fighting the battles even without the basic needs", the commander said.
Reacting to the Maoists' recent request for dialogue and cease-fire, the officer dismissed the proposals as strategic ploy. He said the army was gaining on the ground, and hence the proposals by the rebel leadership. But he added that to wipe out insurgency from the country, the political class has to be united.
Another officer, who had had a close call with the Maoists some months back, said that the army was now aware of the Maoists' modus operandi. "After studying the past Maoist attacks on the army and police posts, we are certain that they have unfailingly resorted to "wave attack" by making use of human shields," said this officer.
The officer added that those used as human shields by the Maoist were "reluctant recruits" who are given a quick training on hand-made explosives and rifles. They are the first ones to launch the attacks followed by other hardcore militia, he said.
A cross-section of army men admitted that they were aware of the predicament of the villagers who do not easily come forward to give information to the soldiers about the movement of the rebels. "We know that as soon as we leave our temporary bases, the Maoists will come back and threaten the villagers", said a soldier."
---end of article---
The NVN used sappers like this. Send in a wave of "reluctant recruits" who would otherwise be shot by the NVN if they refused to comply. Give them junk rifles and tell the next wave to pick up the rifles from the first (dead) wave and charge on.
Bill Marsh
