Import of ammunition by the Armed Police Force (APF) for ‘training purpose’ has fuelled mistrust between the government and the main opposition UCPN (Maoist), resulting in arguments from both sides whether the import was in line with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday said the explosives were imported for the purpose of ‘training’ and that the import was not against the spirit of the CPA. But the main opposition maintained the import was aimed at disrupting the ongoing peace process.
“The training of Nepal Police and the APF continues on a regular basis, and there is no prohibition on importing ammunition for this purpose,” Prime Minister Nepal told reporters in Pokhara. “I had discussed about this assistance during my visit to India. The home minister had also discussed it. They should have arrived much earlier.”
According to a Home Ministry source, the Indian assistance includes explosives, bullets and training logistics for the APF personnel. They were delivered to Nepal two months ago via Nawalparasi and were stored at the APF training centre in Bardaghat, Nawalparasi. “We had also demanded over 1,000 AK-47s and GPMGs. The Indian side had recommended INSAS rifles,” said a high-level source. “Now, they have agreed to provide SMG’s and the delivery may come in the near future.”
The Maoists have condemned the import terming it a gross violation of the CPA and the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of the Arms and Armies (AMMAA). “This is a breach of the peace agreements and a planned move to prepare for battle,” said Maoist Spokesman Dinanath Sharma. “The lethal weapons were brought for the Army by using the APF trucks.” “The government is telling a lie and serious conspiracy is going on to derail the peace and the constitution-drafting processes,” Sharma added.
Officials, however, denied the Maoist claim. They said the explosives were meant for the APF, which recruited additional 5,841 personnel this month.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has said the purchase and transport of arms, ammunition and explosives unless mutually agreed by parties is in breach of the CPA and the AMMAA. “UNMIN strongly encourages the government and the UCPN (Maoist) to avoid any provocative actions or statements that could put the peace process at risk and urges compliance with the spirit of the CPA and related peace agreements,” UNMIN Spokesman Kosmos Biswokarma told the Post.
Clause 5.1.2 of the CPA maintains that neither side shall recruit additional troops, transport arms, ammunition and explosives and conduct military activities against each other.
Clause 5.1.6. of the CPA states that Nepal Police and the APF shall continue the task of maintaining lawful arrangements and peace and order as well as that of criminal investigation in line with the norms and spirit of the people’s movement and the peace accord and as per the prevailing laws.
