UPA backed Nepal to flush out Maoists

By: M K Tayal
October 3, 2004

While Indian forces did not go after terrorists in Bhutan, Nepal security forces launched a massive operation in India to hunt for the Maoists who fled from the Himlayan Kingdom.

The Nepalese Royal police and army recently launched an operation in Dharchulla area of Uttranchal against Maoists who ran away from Nepal’s Western districts and entered India through a porous border.

The United Progressive Government not only gave permission to the Nepalese police, but also backed the presence of a foreign police force on Indian soil to conduct an operation.

To mark their protest, Maoists blew up a foot bridge in the region. This prevented the police force from quickly going back into Nepal.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil defended the operation. “What should they (Nepal) do? They are dealing with the problem (Maoists). If they have followed due procedure what is the problem?”

The due procedure, according to the Home Ministry, is informing the concerned ministries, who gave a clearance for the move.
On Friday, Nepal Maoists put up posters in Maharaj Ganj district threatening to use human bombs against India for backing the Nepalese government.

To demonstrate their seriousness, the Maoists killed two policemen in Bihar on Thursday.

In Dehradun recently, hundreds of posters supporting the Maoists cause were strewn around. The Home Ministry only said it had taken note of the situation.

Hundreds of Maoist fighters have entered India in the recent past and have managed to get secure and safe hideouts in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttranchal and Delhi. The problem is compounded due to the porous border that India and Nepal share.

Maoists, instead of taking the difficult route in Dharchulla, enter India through Sonoli in Gorkhpur, Rupaidihai in Bhairaich districts.

The Special Service Bureau (SSB) and the police posted along the Indo-Nepal border generally take a lenient view of Maoists entering India. There are even media reports that blame the SSB of taking money to let the Maoists enter India.

According to sources, SSB officials take Rs 10-20 from each person entering India from Gorkhpur and Bhairaich. These two districts have direct link buses plying to Delhi, Dehradun and Haridwar.

However, Maharajganj SSP Shayodhan Singh said the SSB and the police have been instructed to keep a close watch and that suspected persons should be let off after due searching.

The rebels are peeved at India because of her support to the Nepal kingdom. India recently let a Vega Airlines airplane fly to Kathmandu carrying explosives and ammunition from the United States.

India recently assured Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of continued support.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the Supreme Commander of the Nepal’s People’s Liberation Army Prachanda is naturally unhappy with the stand of India.

Who are the Maoists?
They are rebels against the King of Nepal and want to impose democratic system in the Himalayan kingdom.

The people’s war started nearly eight years ago in the month of February. The Maoists today are very influential in Western and Northern parts of Nepal.

The Maoist organisations
l Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) — chairman Prachanda.
l Newar National Liberation Front — chairman — Paban Shrestha.
l United People’s Revolutionary Council coordinator — Baburam Bhattarai
l All Nepal Peasant Organisation (Revolutionary).

In Patna on June 2, 2004 India arrested the central Committee members of the United Revolutionary People’s Council Kumar Dahal and Hitbahadur Tamang, the Central Committee Members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Kulaprasad KC, Lokendra Bista and Anil Sharma, General Secretary of All Nepal Peasant Organisation (Revolutionary) Chitra Bahadur Shrestha and other leaders.
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