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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of three more Nepali men in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. They have been identified as Hari Prasad Aryal of Syangja, Bhar Bahadur Shah of Kailali and Rajkumar Giri of Dhading. Earlier, the government had confirmed the deaths of seven Nepali nationals. 

There is a widespread concern that there could be many more Nepali casualties that have gone unreported. A few weeks back, the government had said that at least 100 Nepalis were missing and scores of others were injured. 

The Nepal government has urged Moscow to urgently provide information about the number of Nepalis serving in the Russian army, stop recruitment of Nepali nationals and facilitate the repatriation of Nepalis killed in the war. A growing number of people have been visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs these days, with a request to locate their missing loved ones in Russia. 

So far, Russia has not responded to Nepal’s concern. The Nepal government is partly responsible for this situation. Soon after the war broke out in 2022, the Nepal government didn’t issue any advisory for those planning to visit Russia or Ukraine. Even when news broke out about Nepali nationals fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, the government showed no urgency to inquire the respective embassies of Russia and Ukraine about the matter. 

The government was compelled to act only after reports about Nepalis dying in the war started emerging through friends, families and social media. Various national and international media also covered these incidents. Soon after, police busted a ring involved in sending Nepalis to Russia on visit visas to fight the war with Ukraine.  

Now, the government is grappling to ascertain the actual number of Nepalis serving in the Russian army and their current status. Recently, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said there could be approximately 200 Nepalis serving in the Russian army, yet officials hint at a possibly higher figure. Compounding the issue is the situation of Nepali hostages held by the Ukrainian army. Bibek Khatri, Siddhartha Dhakal, Bikas Rai and Pratik Pun are among those captured by the Ukrainian army. The talks for their release have hit an impasse. 

The government is now on a frantic mission, attempting to discern the status of its citizens fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, exacerbated by the lack of cooperation from Moscow. This has prompted a tightening of visit visa rules, with a mandatory No Objection Letter (NoC) for travel to Russia and other transit countries. Shockingly, certain manpower agencies, according to some media reports, persist in training Nepali nationals for enlistment in the Russian army.

Though Moscow says foreigners cannot be allowed to join the Russian army, President Vladamir Putin in 2022 signed a decree making it easier for foreigners to obtain Russian citizenship if they join the army. As reported by the Moscow Times, the decree said: “Foreign citizens or stateless persons who sign a contract to serve in the Russian Armed force… for at least one year and take part in military operations for at least six months, will be eligible for the simplified application procedures.”  

Recently, Putin ordered the country’s military to increase the number of troops by nearly 170,000 to a total of 1.32 million. According to the Associated Press, Putin’s decree was released by the Kremlin on Friday and took force immediately. It brings the overall number of Russian military personnel to about 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops.

Beyond Nepal, Russia's recruitment of foreign nationals, including those from Cambodia and Cuba, adds a global dimension to the conflict. Reports indicate Moscow's pursuit of formal labor contracts with other nations, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of this recruitment strategy.

Foreign policy experts emphasize the need for high-level communication between Kathmandu and Moscow to resolve Nepal's concerns. As Nepal's Ambassador to Moscow Milan Tuladhar engages in talks, a former foreign minister stresses the need for political leadership to step in. If needed, they say, Nepal should ask big countries such as India, the US, and China to talk with Moscow and Kyiv about Nepal’s concerns.

The term ‘police’ itself carries significant weight and pride. Public trust and confidence in law enforcement hinge on their role as the authority responsible for establishing and maintaining peace and order through the implementation of law. The effectiveness of the chain of command within police is crucial in upholding the trust placed in them, ensuring officers remain conscientious and steadfast in their duties. If this chain of command starts to waver, questions will arise regarding the organization’s ability to function effectively and maintain public trust. These concerns have not only arisen from the public but also from the officers, who have held key responsibilities within the police force. Some retired police officers argue that the chain of command, essential for an organization comprising approximately 78,000 troops, is weakening. If the central structure of command, considered the heart of the police organization, deteriorates, the accountability and a people-oriented approach within the police force will be affected.

And if the leadership of a professional and principled police organization, dedicated to the values of truth, service and security as embodied in the slogan “Satya Seva Surakshanam”, succumbs to political pressure, the organization risks weakening. This compromises its legitimacy, inviting continued scrutiny in the future. The police, tasked with conducting in-depth assessments of overall security, formulating integrated security plans and executing them effectively, must maintain autonomy.

Some retired police officers say they have seen dominance of politics within the structure of Nepal Police in recent times, which is a matter of serious concern. Practices influencing transfers, promotions and professional development of police personnel have taken a toll on the organization's integrity. Such activities may prompt complaints from aspiring police officers, even those aspiring to become Inspector General, who feel their safety is compromised. There is a looming question about the potential professional deviations in police personnel and the insecurity they may face upon retirement due to injustices in their career development. 

Reports suggest that financial transactions with the involvement of power centers play a role in the appointment and transfer of police personnel. It is disheartening that the chain of command within the police force is entangled in these matters, posing a threat to the organization's structural integrity. The fear is that ongoing political interference may lead to a deterioration of the police structure.

A police organization operating on an honest and professional chain of command is not a business entity, an industrial venture, or a commercial organization. Yet, internal competition and dynamics have turned certain activities into open secrets. Accepting maneuvers by police personnel for personal gains, influenced by power centers within political parties, raises concerns about encouraging unethical behavior. The unprofessional competition for the position of Inspector General is viewed as potentially weakening the chain of command within the police. Addressing these issues is crucial for preserving professionalism and integrity of the police force and maintaining public trust.

The imperative for development is pressing in a poor country like ours. Achieving the status of a developing nation requires collaboration at every level. To expedite our developmental pursuits, it is crucial to promptly halt the unwarranted interference of political leaders. The foremost priority is to recognize that restoring peace and security is the initial step toward the country's development. The security organization entrusted with safeguarding the nation and its people follows its own operational methods and procedures. It is not an entity directed by political appointees. However, as the influence of politics encroaches upon this organization, led by an individual with years of experience in a disciplined setting, doubts begin to surface regarding the chain of command and the autonomous responsibilities fulfilled by this crucial institution. When those leading the organization, funded by taxpayers, start functioning like the leaders of sister organizations of political parties, skepticism among ordinary citizens about the police organization becomes inevitable.

The pervasive influence of politics on the daily operations of the police has compromised the trust of honest, professional and dedicated officers, who envision a future in the police profession. The impact of political interference is evident in the skewed career advancement, where some officers, owing to political connections, ascend to higher ranks, undermining professional development of their honest counterparts, who refrain from seeking favor from leadership. Looking back at past events, we see a tense competition for leadership roles within the police force. Unfortunately, even those who attain leadership positions appear hesitant to champion the organization's interests independently, succumbing to pressure from groups with divergent agendas. Instead of prioritizing the welfare of the organization and its dutiful employees, leaders seem preoccupied with cultivating alliances with political parties and their leaders.

It is undeniable that an organization catering to the interests of political parties, despite awareness of wrongdoing within its ranks and leadership, and remaining indifferent to its committed employees, is destined to weaken and deviate from its overarching goals. The persisting question remains: When will the interference of political parties in the chain of command of the Nepal Police cease? It is difficult to find an easy answer to this question.

The United States has said that throughout 2023, the superpower worked alongside allies and partners to deliver groundbreaking achievements for peace, stability and deterrence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III said: “In this decisive decade, 2023 will be remembered as a decisive year for implementing US defense strategy in Asia.

A press release from the Department of Defense states that the US delivered historic achievements with allies and partners to make US force posture in the Indo-Pacific region more mobile, distributed, resilient and lethal. The United States is deploying cutting-edge military capabilities right now, developing the capabilities needed to maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific in the future, and supporting allies and partners as they invest in their own capabilities by releasing the most-strategy-driven defense in history.  

The department said it has proposed $170bn for procurement to advance air, sea, and land power; $145bn for research, development, test, and evaluation; and $9.1bn for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative—more than ever proposed for these key lines of effort. The US is joining hands with Indo-Pacific allies and partners in ways that strengthen peace and security across the region, including by operating together like never before, the department said. 

In Nepal, the US objective is to help Nepal to increase its capacity to counter threats to its security interests and become a stable partner in a rule-based regional and international order.

The government has formed a high-level commission to probe the killing of two young men—Birendra Shah and Sujan Raut—in a clash between South Korea job aspirants and police in  Balkumari, Lalitpur, on Friday.   

The three-member panel was formed following a nationwide outrage by the incident, which not only exposed a severe communication lapse between the law enforcement agency and the district administration office, but also the lack of restraint within the police force.   

A day after the incident, the government suspended the chief district officer and the police chief of Lalitpur. But this knee-jerk reaction without presenting any concrete evidence has ignited a blame game among government agencies, instead of an earnest quest for truth and accountability.

While the government has made a perfunctory gesture of providing Rs 1m each to the grieving families, the demand for truth and justice remains unmet. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha to resign on moral grounds. 

“It is futile to take action against police officers, the home minister should take responsibility and resign,”  said UML lawmaker Rajendra Rai. He added that the investigation commission can work independently only after the home minister has stepped down.  

Another UML lawmaker Krishna Gopal Shrestha also echoed Rai’s sentiment. He said the moral responsibility for the Balkumari tragedy falls squarely on the shoulders of Home Minister Shrestha.  

This call for resignation, however, faces resistance in a political landscape where officials are more inclined to deflect blame than admit mistakes. This call for resignation, however, faces resistance in a political landscape where officials are more inclined to deflect blame than admit mistakes.

A government official, let alone a minister, resigning out of moral conscience is unheard of in Nepal. They would rather put the blame on others than admit to their own mistake.  

Days have passed since the tragic incident, yet a clear narrative remains elusive. Conflicting reports suggest that the security personnel opened fire either in response to protesters setting fire to the car of Transport Minister Prakash Jwala or before such an incident occurred. Amidst the confusion, it's evident that communication failures between the police and the minister's security officer played a pivotal role.

Transport Minister Jwala's changing statements further muddy the waters, as he initially denied being in the car during the incident, only to later acknowledge it when video footage surfaced where protesters are seen taking control of his car and forcing him to come out. It is clear that the minister tried to lie about him not being in the car to keep himself out of the incident, because police have been saying that the situation escalated due to the minister’s arrival at the scene of the protest.    

Nepal Police chief Basanta Bahadur Kunwar told the Parliamentary Committee for State Affairs and Good Governance that the incident could have been averted if minister Jawala had not used the route where the protest was happening. But he had no clear response on why and when his officers resorted to firing upon the protesters. 

The parliamentary committee has instructed the government to investigate if and how minister Jwala’s car passing through the protest area made the situation worse. 

“The Parliament wants to know the exact role minister Jwala had played in this incident,” demanded Ram Hari Khatiwada, the committee chair. 

The committee also inquired Home Minister Shrestha about the Balkumari incident. He vowed to the committee that his ministry would take necessary action against the responsible party based on the findings of the high-level probe commission. 

But there is little optimism that the commission’s report will be revelatory, or identify the individuals truly responsible for the incident. Whenever the government forms a high-level investigation commission in Nepal, historically, it has turned out to be a diversion tactic to steer the public attenuation. After all, the reports of several high-level probe panels are yet to be made public.  

Additionally, there is a high chance of such panels failing to do their work in a fair and independent manner due to the influence of the political parties. The high-level probe commission formed to investigate the gold smuggling case from the Tribhuvan International Airport is one shining example. The commission, formed three months ago, is yet to prepare its report. Besides forming the commission, the government has not taken any measures to control gold smuggling. 

Even in those cases where the probe panels have submitted their reports, there is no single instance of the government taking action based on the recommendations of those reports.  

Balaram KC, former Supreme Court justice, said the government is simply trying to pacify the agitated society by forming the probe panel.

“In Nepal, we form a high-level probe panel for every case, which you do not see in other countries. Highly powered panels are only formed in rare and immensely significant cases,” said KC. “Our tendency to rely on high-level commissions clearly shows that the rule of law is not working.” 

Govt, victims’ families sign four-point deal

A four-point agreement has been reached between the government and the families of Birendra Shah and Sujan Raut, who were killed in police shooting in Balkumari, Lalitpur

, on Friday. As per the agreement, the government will provide employment to one member of each family, facilitate the provision of additional relief and take the initiative to declare the deceased as martyrs.

It is mentioned in the letter of agreement that the Ministry of Home Affairs will arrange for the bodies of the deceased to be taken to the respective districts. The agreement was signed by Umakant Adhikari, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and Tek Bahadur Shah, the father Shah, and Tek Bahadur Katuwal, on behalf of Raut.