UNITY JOURNAL

Security and development: Role of the Nepali in nation building

Sonika Adhikari

Abstract country today would not have been possible without the contribution of (NA) This paper aims to highlight the integral role from the time immemorial. Our constitution of Nepali Army towards national security further adds that safeguarding of freedom, and development. The researcher has applied sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, secondary source of research design to independence and dignity of , the rights collect the information. The result suggested of the Nepalese people, border security, that the Nepali Army played a role economic wellbeing and prosperity shall be in the formation as well as the development the basic elements of the national interest of of Nepal as a strong stable nation–state. Nepal, which has also been the major interest For the national security, the Nepali Army of the Nepali Army. had fought many battles. Their contribution was visible from the unification campaign The Nepali Army lives by its ethos initiated by in 1740 AD of 'Mission First and People Always'; to the fought between the demonstrates, in its daily activities, its core Communist Party of Nepal and the government values of 'Duty, Integrity, Selfless Service, of Nepal from 1996 to 2006. Similarly, for the Courage, Discipline and Loyalty; and development of the nation, their role is visible adheres to the noble Guiding principles in infrastructure development, building civil of 'Patriotism, Camaraderie, Institutional military relation, disaster management, Cohesiveness, Respect for Diversity and nature conservation and so on. Nepali Army Dignity of Service'. The institutional history along with the national security has been of the NA establishes a direct link between expanding its role in sectors like education, modern Nepal and its national territory as health and recreation with the interest of invading independent principalities and serving the people. conquering territories through fortified armed strength was considered a common practice Keywords: Nepali Army, national security, (Nepali Army, 2019). Hence, the Nepali Army development has equally supported the transformation Introduction and development of Nepal from ‘nation formation’ to ‘nation building’. Constitution of Nepal 2015 defines Nepal as an independent, indivisible, sovereign, Role of Nepali Army in nation building secular, inclusive, democratic, socialism- The Nepali Army primarily aims at protecting oriented, federal democratic republican state. Nepal and ensures national security. The NA Such a constitution–defined identity of our has fought many battles against the alien's

135 UNITY JOURNAL and those of the soldiers of small war materials. After the Gorkhali troops principalities that existed in our country. “The finally captured (then known as Nepali Army’s military history coincides Nepal), the Gorkhali armed forces turned into with the country’s history, because the rulers the Nepali Army (Nepali Army, 2019). used the military as the tool to prolong their regime” (Bhattrai, 2017). Prithvi Narayan Shah would never have been able to continue the expansion campaign The 1700s was a century of uncertainty without a strong and motivated army. A series throughout the world. The world military of battles of Nuwakot and that of Kirtipur powers like Britain, France and Portugal had made significant contributions towards the been rigorously annexing colonies to expand . Similarly, the battle of their Empires across the world. Clashes in Makwanpur (1762-63), Hariharpur Gadhi, their interests resulted in wars in different military operations of Mirkasim's force countries and principalities. Britain and (January 1763), the battle of Sindhuli, Kangra France were also moving towards South and Fort, a series of battles of Nalapani, the battle Southeast Asia. Such a move also threatened of Jaithak, Deuthal, Jitgadh, and so on, cannot Nepal ever since early decades of the even be imagined without brave Nepali eighteenth century. soldiers(Rayamajhi, 2019). “According to Stiller, the story of Nepal’s growth as a nation The British East Company commenced spans the year from 1744 to 1951. Historian its rule in India in 1757 after the Battle of John Whelpton, in his book Kings, Soldiers Plassey. It was approaching Nepal while and Priests, writes that Prithvi Narayan Shah moving towards the Northeast. Nepal was conquered Kathmandu with support of Nepali divided into several principalities during this Army in 1769” (Poudel, 2016). period. At that time, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, hailing from one of the principalities The role of the Nepali Army was also evident called Gorkha, decided to unify those small during the ten–year Maoist Insurgency. Such kingdoms across Nepal. Although Gorkha an internal conflict between the Communist was small and economically weak, King Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) and Prithvi Narayan Shah amazed the world the from 1996 to 2006 by undertaking the task of unification of had almost crippled the country on different those principalities in complex and difficult fronts. On 13 February 1996, the CPN had circumstances then. The Unification initiated the rebellion with a stated purpose Campaign was initiated in 1740 AD at the of overthrowing the Nepalese monarchy and time the British had already commenced establishing a People's Republic. It ended colonizing the Indian provinces. with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord on 21 November 2006. During the This was a turning point in the history of clash, the Nepali Army was mobilized to the Nepali Army. Since unification was pressure insurgents to come to negotiations not possible without a strong army, the with the establishment and the government management of the armed forces had to be of Nepal. The Nepalese monarchy has always exceptional. Apart from an organized standard relied on the military to consolidate its power army in Gorkha, technicians and experts had both against growing popular opposition and to be brought in from abroad to manufacture during violent uprisings (Dhungana, 2007).

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Hence, the Nepali Army continued to march Kathmandu to the Indian border with with Prithvi Narayan Shah’s quest of building 105 km road. a Hindu nation from 1743 to 1816 when  It also constructed the Kharipati – Nepal signed Sugauli Treaty with the British Nagarkot road. India. As Nepal turned from a monarchy  North West of Kathmandu, the to a republic and from a unitary to federal Trishuli - Somdang road cuts through setup, the Nepali Army has remained the sole 105 kms of extremely difficult terrain institution to defend the national unity, social completed in 1990. integrity and people’s sovereignty. Even after  the promulgation of the new constitution By developing the 88 km long Katari – in September 2015, the Nepali Army has Okhaldhunga road, the Everest region been consistently discharging its primary got necessities of life delivered right at duties and obligations to the leadership and their doorsteps with its completion in institution even in the fragile situation of 2005. Nepal.  It also constructed 28 km long Hile– Leghuwaghat for the country. Nepal lies in an area that is at a high risk from  The 86 km long Salyan–Musikot road natural calamities. On several occasions, the runs through some of the most remote Nepali Army, in response to several natural and deprived parts of Nepal completed and manmade disasters, has mobilized its in 2005. well-trained and highly skilled personnel in  rescue missions and saved thousands of lives The 232 km long Surkhet – Jumla road, and property (Nepalese Army, n.d). In building built in large parts by the NA, signaled a nation from building infrastructures like as one of the Herculean development roads to providing education and health, the achievements in modern Nepal. Nepali Army has been serving the people at  The – Beni – road, 91 all times, not just in times of natural disasters. km long, provides transport to a region The areas promoted by the Nepali Army rich in agriculture products. beyond primary duties involve the following  The 45 km long Drabya Shah Marga, areas: built with a view to combat insurgency through development and security 1. Infrastructure development simultaneously. The Nepali Army has constructed a number  The Besi Sahar–Chaame road, 65 of roads and highways, including those of km long mountainous road provides strategic importance for the country. NA has service support to one of the most constructed more than 1030 kilometers of road popular tourism areas in Nepal. in different parts of the country, particularly linking north-south remote parts of Nepal to  Several roads, including the 107 the rest of the country. In addition, almost km Chhinchu–Jajarkot, the 112 km 600 kilometers of road is under construction. Jajarkot-Dolpa, the 31 km Devsthal– These roads include: Chourjahari, the 145 Km Musikot– Burtibang, the 91 km Nagma–  The Nepali Army was the major partner Gamgadhi are currently under in the old Kantipath project linking construction to provide access to some

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of the remote and least developed areas sacrifice, institutional drive and integrity have of Nepal. made constructions projects cost effective  Likewise, the 81.8 km Nijgadh – for the Nepal Government and planners. Kathmandu fast track is currently Effectiveness of coordination between the under construction which considered Nepali Army and domestic civil agencies an important catalyst in the connection is critical both to improve Nepal’s disaster of the Terai and the capital city response capabilities and to address Nepal’s Kathmandu (Nepali Army, 2019). key areas of vulnerability. To promote that cooperation, specific measures can be taken, 2. Civil military relations including but not limited to (1) conducting applied research, (2) helping to develop Construction of development infrastructures, enhanced capacity and procedures, and (3) disaster management and preservation supporting strategic thinking and dialogue of nature are parts of the military work (Manandhar et.al, 2017). under civil-military relations. NA has also contributed significantly to the country and 3. Nature conservation community through the provision of specific capabilities, such as engineers, medical teams With a mission to protect endangered and Special Forces contingents. The NA species, plants and the natural heritage, personnel’s duty and excellent performances the Nepali Army has protected 12 out of have been widely acclaimed. "People First the 22 forests under protection ever since and Mission Always", a conceptual thinking 1975 (Nepali Army. 2019). Among them, and it aims towards creating, A Learning, 12 Battalions and Independent Companies Agile and Effective Organization” (Thapa, with some 6,778 troops protect forest areas 2019). measuring some 9,767 sq km. The impact of the mobilization of the Army is visible On 6 Poush 2076, the NA launched public in the rhino census in Chitwan National awareness programs on nature conservation Park. With the Army’s efforts to protect the to the students and teachers of Solukhumbu. Chitwan National Park, backing the Rhino Similarly, it organized another awareness project, the 1994 census estimated about 466 campaign for the cold affected people in individuals and this figure increased further Nawalparasi district. Then, it launched a free to 544 individuals in 2000. The Department health camp for the privileged and locals credits anti-poaching operations for the rapid of Bharatpur on 8 and 9 of Poush. Next, rise in the numbers. However, the demands the intensive mobile health camp jointly of internal security duties constrained the organized by the NA and the Ministry of conservation efforts of the Nepali Army. As Health resulted in 34,172 beneficiaries, a result, the number of rhinos in Chitwan including 329 surgeries. National Park fell to 372 individuals according to the census of 2005. With the The Nepali Army has been utilizing its improvement in the internal security and trained manpower and rich resources in consequent enhanced conservation efforts of support to Nepal’s missions of peace, the Army, the rhino population has steadily progress and prosperity for many decades. increased to 446. The Nepali Army personnel’s selfless

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Preservation of natural heritage is one of the  The 1993 torrential rainfall affected responsibilities given to the Nepali Army many of the districts, including by Constitution of Nepal 2015 and National Taplejung, Panchthar, Sindhuli, Sarlahi Security Policy 2016. and Rautahat. The Nepali Army mobilized its troops to evacuate 3842 4. Disaster management severely affected peopleand arranged The Nepali Army plays a vital role in ensuring medical treatments to 201 people on emergency assistance to needy people all over the spot. the country, a serious undertaking that has  The Nepali Army pulled off a become even more important in the present breathtaking aerial rescue operation on context. The primary roles of the Nepali Army 15 May 1995. A helicopter evacuated in disaster relief include search and rescue an American citizen, Sirbon B of missions, medical assistance and evacuation, the Swedish Everest Expedition and air rescue and mass evacuation and flood Makalu Gab of the Chinese Taipei control. The Nepali Army is committed Everest Expedition from an altitude of to support, in every possible manner, the 19200 feet. efforts of the Nepalese Government in  An aircraft with 12 people aboard establishing Nepal as a ‘Disaster Resilient crashed on 25 December 1999 in Community.’ Recently, in response to the Makwanpur. The Nepali Army massive earthquake, the Nepali government, personnel recovered the dead Nepali Army, and civil society mobilized all bodies with supports of the military the resources in support to survivors, joined helicopters In 2007, a heavy rainfall by an outpouring of international assistance resulted in a wide spread floods (Manandhar et.al, 2017). The major incidents and landslides in Taplejung, Jhapa, in which the Nepali Army has served the Bhojpur, Saptari, Mahottari, Dhanusa, people as a part of Disaster Management Kathmandu, Gorkha, Kaski, Syangja includes: and Parbat. The Army ground and air assets consisting of 2885 personnel  In 1934 AD, a devastating earthquake provided medical treatments to 10,000 hit Nepal. The Nepali Army helped people while rescuing them. evacuate, and temporarily house thousands of people.  In August 2008, the Kosi River eroded the Eastern dyke near Kusaha and  The Nepali Army saved Singha Darbar spilled over to change its course of when this historical palace was on a flow where the NA rescued 15,060 huge fire in 1971 AD. persons from the inundated areas.  An earthquake measuring 6.6 Richter  An earthquake with a magnitude of scale hit Nepal on 21 August 1988 7.8 Richter scale struck Nepal with leaving 722 dead, 1421 seriously its epicenter on Barpak, Gorkha on 15 wounded and 11000 injured. The April 2015. Also known as the Gorkha Nepali Army launched rescue and earthquake, a magnitude 7.3 aftershock reconstruction operations, evacuating hit Nepal, causing massive destruction people, arranging first aids and relief of infrastructures, including schools, materials.

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health centers, power systems, national unity, independence, territorial roads and bridges. The Nepali integrity and sovereignty of Nepal. Right Army mobilized all of its units in 14 from its establishment, NA has fulfilled its affected districts to rescue victims, responsibilities and accountabilities in the most arrange logistics and reconstruct commendable manner. Its professionalism the infrastructures. Besides, the has been exhibited in the countless battles it Nepali Army personnel collaborated fought during the Unification Campaign in with international volunteers and eighteenth century, in safeguarding national representatives in rescue operations sovereignty and maintaining peace during and necessary aids distribution. insurgencies at different times over centuries. Army also has proudly represented Nepal 5. Rehabilitation center in the UN-led International Peace Keeping During the Maoist Insurgency period (1996 Missions around the globe since 1958 and to 2006), the internal conflict took away remains the fifth largest contributor of human thousands of lives while leaving thousands resource globally (Rayamajhi, 2019a). disabled. A comprehensive nationwide Conclusion rehabilitation program was required in Nepal with physical rehabilitation, psychological The NA is engaged in safeguarding territorial rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation integrity; constructing roads; protecting and social awareness programs. Realizing parks and reserves; responding to disaster- such a need of the nation, the Nepali Army related crises (rescue and recovery); UN established a national rehabilitation center operations; the security of with supports from the Government of Nepal. V/VIPs; and the protection of crucial areas This center primarily aims at operating such as airports, banks and telephone towers. Surveillance Team, Physiotherapy unit, However, a debate is needed on whether to Artificial limb and appliance workshop, redefine, reorient, combine, modify or reduce Psychotherapy unit, Paraplegic home, the existing tasks (e.g. deciding whether to General ward-50 bedded (For amputees engage the army in nature conservation or in coming for prosthesis, disabled those need development work). Further, provisions on physiotherapy and orthosis) and Vocational redefining the size of and attributing exclusive training center for various trade groups. The characteristics to the NA are mentioned in the Nepali Army has provided 4.02 acre of land in interim constitution (Upreti & Vanhoutte, Chhauni (valued at Rs 256 million). Till date, 2009). the Government has allocated Rs 30 million for construction of building and Rs 2 million Hence, we can conclude that NA, along with for office furnishing and air conditioning of the national security has been expanding its the physiotherapy hall and has committed roles in sectors like education, health and further 22 million rupees for establishment recreation with the sole interest of serving of a physiotherapy unit and the necessary the people. Keeping domestic contribution furniture (Nepali Army, 2019). aside, the Nepali Army also has represented Nepal in the UN-led International Peace The Nepali Army has always been Keeping Missions around the globe. Its committed towards safeguarding the devotion to duty and excellence in executing

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