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Maoists might have infiltrated students’ stir: RNA
KATHMANDU, JAN 16 - The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has suspected penetration of Maoists’ student wing in the ongoing street protests carried out by the seven student organisations.
"Maoists’ involvement in the students’ agitation cannot be ruled out," said RNA spokesman, Colonel Dipak Gurung, responding to a query at a press briefing at the RNA headquarters.Talking to the press, Gurung claimed remarkable success of the security forces. He said the security actions have proved successful in Kathmandu, and also in the countryside due to the unified command mobilised after the collapse of cease-fire on August 27 last year.
"Altogether 1,400 — confirmed 1,200 and 200 suspected — Maoists have been killed in security actions so far after the cease-fire was broken," Gurung said. "94 hardcore rebels ranging from the so called brigade commander to combatants have surrendered to the government following the announcement of general amnesty and rewards for weapons on December 18."
However, the army personnel joining the Maoist militia was also not completely ruled out. "One is free after he quits the RNA job but cases of the ex-RNA men joining the Maoists have not been recorded yet," he said.
The security sources also informed that 318 security personnel including 111 of the RNA, 84 of the Armed Police Force and 123 of the Nepal Police were killed. The number of injured personnel in all three forces is 191, 84 and 184, respectively, according to them.
RNA spokesman admitted excessive use of force in Chisapani, Khotang, about 45 days ago. "We have taken action against the culprit after preliminary investigation," he said. Gurung, however, denied to disclose the names of the personnel and nature of the "action".
In the incident, a higher secondary school teacher Hari Prasad Bhattarai and his two guests were killed brutally by the RNA personnel hours after their arrest.
Gurung also revealed that Gyan Bahadur Tharu, an army personnel was sent to jail for seven years for his "prejudicial" action against Bhoj Bahadur Karki and his son at Mankot Tapara in Bardiya district last year.
The RNA spokesman also admitted that off-duty RNA personnel assaulted TKP journalist Damakant Jayshi Sunday night and expressed sadness over the incident. "We have traced the personnel and initiated action against them," he added. Gurung told the TKP that, as per his report, the Jayshi incident took place after he collided with one of the off-duty army men while walking. He did not explain why off-duty personnel looking for drinks were carrying machine gun.
However, Jayshi challenged Gurung’s assertion. "It’s a blatant lie," he said. "I did not bump into the soldier. One of them was knocking at a shanty, and I thought he was a drunkard since he was not in uniform."
According to Jayshi, the drunken soldier and his companion came after him, as the journalist asked who they were, and both boxed him.Posted on: 2004-01-17 03:59
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