Posted on 02/04/2004 2:46:22 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
After the Bhutanese action against ULFA rebels, India now wants Nepal to launch operations against Maoist insurgents in its territory.
The issue was came up at the two-day Home Secretary-level talks in Kathmandu that ended today. It was decided to share information and intelligence on the presence of Maoists in the respective countries. India had expressed concern on the Nepalese Maoists’ links with Indian Left wing extremists including the PWG, other Naxal groups and even with some fundamentalists.
Sources said India had assured Nepal all possible assistance in terms of arms, ammunition, finances and training. ‘‘Officers and personnel of the Royal Nepal Army are undergoing training in Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairangte, Mizoram. The RNA is already in the process of being better equipped with an Apache helicopter from the US, and four Lancer attack choppers and a Mi 17 transport helicopter from India,’’ a source said.
India had also helped RNA with Rs 200 crore worth arms and ammunition last year. ‘‘We are also providing them with technical know-how on building roads for faster movement of troops,’’ sources added. In fact, Nepal had recently recruited 6,400 men, mainly to tackle anti-insurgency, taking the RNA’s strength to 70,000.
New Delhi had been providing intelligence to Kathmandu on Maoists in India and expect them to reciprocate. ‘‘Maoists enter India through porous borders in the Terai region (UP), Siliguri corridor and Purnea in Bihar. The matter also came up during the recent conference of state DGPs and Chief Secretaries,’’ said a senior official.
Anyone who can't see the next Khmer Rouge developing here isn't paying attention.
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