CoAS who has steered clear of controversy

Rajan Pokhrel

KATHMANDU: General Chhatraman Singh Gurung today took charge as the

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) after the retirement of General Rookmangud Katawal. Born in

Pulimarang VDC in Tanahun district, Gurung, 57, has become the first army chief to be appointed after Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic.

His appointment comes at one of the critical junctures for the country’s transition to sustainable peace and democracy, amid increasing public skepticism over whether the national army fully co-operated in the country’s peace process which hinges on the successful management, integration and rehabilitation of the PLA.

The man he has taken over

from, Gen Katawal, often found himself at odds with politicians, particularly the main opposition party, UCPN-Maoist, and was seen by some as too outspoken on issues ranging from army integration to civilian supremacy. Saying

the generals never retire, Katawal in his farewell speech had ruled

out the merger of ‘politically

indoctrinated’ armed forces with the national army.

Katawal in his speech said once an elected government came into power after the writing of the new democratic constitution and situation hopefully started firmly stabilising, only then the right-sizing of security agencies should start. He also pointed out that there should be special consideration to the factors: social and economic situation of the nation, the National Security needs and strategy, the threat perception, commitment of NA to internal security, environmental protection, development works and projects, and peacekeeping operations and border security. Unless and until an elected government is formed and democracy relatively stabilised, the force structure of the NA should not be altered, considering the security crises in the country, Katawal added.

Besides providing the necessary military leadership to the

96,400-strong force, the visionary actions of the NA to help the ongoing peace process will be no easy task for Gurung. Management of more than 19,000 Maoist combatants is also directly related to the NA’s views and actions in future. Security expert Dr Govinda Thapa said Gurung’s main challenge would be to avoid the politicisation of the NA. The fresh statement made by one of the top commanders of the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army also indicates that the UCPN-Maoist would not be adamant for the merger of their combatants with the NA.

Chandra Prakash Khanal ‘Baldev’, deputy commander of PLA, said they were willing to join any security force as per the agreement among the parties. “Though the past agreement had stated that PLA should be integrated with the Nepal Army, we’re now ready to join any outfit like the Industrial Security Force or Border Security Force. It is up to the parties to decide our fate,” he said at a press conference in the capital yesterday.

The issue of inclusiveness is

vital to set up a new federal democratic republic. The marginalised, as well as ethnic communities, should be upbeat about Gurung’s appointment, as he is the first ever CoAS from the indigenous ethnic groups, who constitute some 40 per cent of the population.

The NA always expects to be treated in a professional manner and politicians should not make any attempt to politicise the

NA, said retired Lt Gen Balanandan Sharma. NA fully abides by

the country’s statute, he added. Gen Gurung should spell

out his priorities, he added. Sharma also hoped that his three-year tenure would be successful in winning people’s faith.

Gurung’s another challenge

is to make the Army Welfare

Fund more transparent, as over 40,000 officers and soldiers have served in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the world’s conflict zones since 1958. Civil-military relation is one of the critical components of constitution-making process.

Analysts hope that Gurung’s efforts would further improve the civil-military relations. Starting his career from second lieutenant in 1971, Gurung did Senior Command Course from the Indian Military Academy, completed Command and General Staff Course from the US and Strategic Studies on National Security and Military Command in China.

However, despite his professionalism, many people inside

the NA are concerned whether Gen Gurung would be able to ward off political intervention, something that could potentially jeopardise its efficiency, professionalism and morale. He is often compared to his predecessor, Gen Rukmangud Katawal, who had extensive political links outside the Nepal Army and was adept at dealing with political issues. A part of Katawal’s strategy was to upgrade the legal department that was headed by a major general and convert it into a directorate.

The NA staffer are also concerned whether he would be able to modernise the Nepal Army’s

aviation capability, as well as

revamp its intelligence capacity,

issues that were on the agenda

of Katawal. Whether he would

be able to upgrade the 11th

brigade (aviation unit) by garnering more budgetary/political support is yet to be seen.

A Bachelors of Arts degree holder from Tribhuvan University, Gurung has served as a military attaché to the UK and France. Gen Gurung, who is popularly known as ‘Tara Maila’, is seen as a good commander who is also professionally astute. Gurung has also maintained a reputation for being a non-controversial and upfront army officer.

On social front, he helped

his villagers in Pulimarang to set up solar power. After years of

experience with the UN in Lebanon, and participating in actions in Syria, India, Persia and many other countries, Gurung has also learnt the skills of a diplomat. They should come handy in dealing with the politicians.