Scrutinizing Mr. Yadav's Allegations
By - Kundan Singh Khatri
It seems apparent that the governing stakeholders of the country are bound to be involved with the triflings and mess with the mandate of the people to build a peaceful and sovereign Nepal. It is very funny that a minister of the government goes on to make a derogative statement against the National Army in an international forum and requests them to give a second thought on the money they have been pouring in for the wild conservation in Nepal. I believe this is the height of nonsense. Is Matrika Yadav still the same leader of CPN (Maoist) whose party believed in creating vandalism and atrocities and gave untold sufferings to the people of Nepal or he is a responsible minister of the state whose first emphasis should be laid on creating stability and peace-it really opens up a Pandora's box.
I really feel pity for the national Army that has undergone an incredible transformation and arrived at a new dimension and height. The chief of army staff General Katawal has repeatedly stressed on the civilian supremacy and has displayed that in the action too. Beyond any shadow of doubt, Nepalese Army has attained a great fame and name for its bravery, exhilarating feat and achievement in the international field as peacekeepers. Isn't it a matter of great glory and pride for every citizen of Nepal? And equally Nepalese Army's performance in maintaining law and order, peace and stability in the country is unmatched and praise-worthy compared to any other army in the world. In spite of every possible effort to trim down poaching; it is prevalent everywhere around the globe. In Nepal, by and large, in the buffer zone where a large no of migrants are encroaching the area, poaching and hunting of wildlife exist more. Whatsoever one can thumb over the statistics which certainly gives the indication that, out of the vast forest area in Nepal, the area where army is providing security in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, there has been remarkable result in poaching and other wild-life related illicit trades compared to other unprotected areas. One must understand that the army is the last line of defense and whose state of morale is remarkably decisive for its effectiveness and better performance. What would go in the rank and files of the army who instead of a strong reckoning and backing from the authority is thrashed by the outbursts of rumours and serious allegations and that too from the minister itself who is the part and parcel of the system?
Probability of human error in any circumstances can't be ignored. So it also implies to every individual and organization. Obviously, some army officials have been involved in in-disciplinary cases. But to my knowledge there is perhaps no state of impunity in the Nepalese army. We have also been hearing about the actions taken by the army against those who have been proved guilty or have violated the code of army conduct be it in national or the international duty as peace keepers. Recently there was a case of poaching where an army personnel was involved abetting it. One must understand these are the fingertip cases where they have gone against the policy of the army and have been punished accordingly. It is in actuality an absurd to institutionalize or brand as Nepalese Army been involved into it. It must be quite painful to the National Army and has anyone thought where would the morale of the National Army go? These one or two mistakes by individuals should not be depicted in such a way that it would blur the glorious tradition and splendid attainment of the Army over the centuries. It can't be ignored that the Army has won many distinguished international awards for its excellence in wild life conservation-are they fool to award such recognition without any consideration and empirical evidence. The silence on the part of the army following such consequences should not be taken as its weaknesses or shortcomings. Most probably Army might have realized since the country is in the transitional phase and the most coveted peace process ahead and any repercussions by army in this state won't do good to anyone. But one should also remember, these sorts of repeated stress, trauma and ruthless allegations can one day flare-up the endurance of the army and concerned should be ready to uphold this.
Isn't it shameful and shocking that a minister holding a portfolio of forest and soil conservation ministry making such baseless remarks against army who have devoted altruistically for the wild life in the midst of international donors? What is he trying to dig out-is that the same enmity which he had a year ago with the Nepalese army? One thing is for sure his stupidity has made a mockery of himself and insulted Nepal and national army in the international circuit. That incident was very unfortunate for the country, unscrupulous and unethical statement by an irresponsible minister, one should sincerely think- is he competent enough to hold that ministry or any ministry? If he had certain grudges, he could have internally hold an inquiry and could probe on that since his ministry looks after all the army personnel deployed for the conservation of the wildlife, but taking other course and going to public in international forum can not be digested at all.
Nepalese Army has strived hard to be the people's Army, they are doing every possible thing to build and promote their image and uplift their stature as a cost effective good employer of the country. Nepalese army has been defending territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Nepal and at the same time assisting the government in internal security matters. It has also rendered humanitarian assistance, conducted disaster relief operations and preserved human rights. Nepalese Army has been seriously committed in construction, maintenance and renovation of various national development projects. Recently constructed Surkhet-Jumla road by Army has generated unutterable joy to the unprivileged people of Karnali region. What more one would expect from the National Army? Isn't it our Army?
May be Minister Mr. Matrika Yadav has other opinions. He might think his people's army is the national army that has smuggled tons and tons of kindling by clearing up hectares and hectares of forest in the pretention of building cantonments, still extorting money, abducting innocent people and continuing everything that they had been doing- no remarkable changes whatsoever. Can one imagine, these uncontrolled Maoist cadres vociferously crying for extra money to meet their daily needs could resist the temptation of hunting on endangered species in and around their no-go cantonments? Taking advantage of the location of the cantonments, Maoists are extensively engaged in felling of hundreds of acres of jungle and making a huge amount of illegal money. It is extremely surprising that why no voices have emerged strongly against Maoist atrocities and hegemony over wild life and national parks. It is pretty evident that Maoist cadres have been involved into the smuggling cordyceps and other endangered medicinal herbs and regarding this they have also established their own so-called regulative mechanism. A couple of months ago, an endangered one-horned rhino was found dead around the Maoist cantonment area which is under their constant vigilance-this really gives the indication of their concealed character. It would have been strongly appreciated had Mr. Yadav commented on such matters and promished to overcome these weaknesses in that international forum. It is strongly questionable if the forest minister would take any actions at remote on their cadres to control poaching. Undeniably National Army deployed for the conservation of wildlife along with National Parks & Wild Life Conservation offices and district forest offices plays a pivotal role to control poaching of protected and other wildlife species outside protected areas. In addition, the support of local residents for conservation of biodiversity cannot be overemphasized.
It's high time Mr. Yadav and like-minded people should understand that Nepalese army is the national army which works under the civilian supremacy-follows the orders of the government and follows the system. Arbitrary and ruthless expressions and statements should be stopped. What we need now is the everlasting peace and stability and a secured Nepal- all efforts from every corner should be directed on achieving this rather than pelting stones on each other on pointless issues.
