October 5, 2007
Nepal Government Fears Revolt by Soldiers Loyal to King
Kathmandu With the election postponed indefinitely to appease the Maoists and
King Gyanendra's fate to be decided in parliament in six days, it is
speculated that Nepal's government could be fearing a fresh revolt
by soldiers still loyal to the palace.
In a surprise move Friday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who
is also the defence minister, ordered that the cavalrymen who are
part of the royal household be removed from the Narayanhity royal
palace. They have been told to be under the principal secretariat in
the Singh Durbar, the heart of the government where the prime
minister's office, key ministries and parliament are located.
About 500 cavalrymen have been recalled from the palace, which has
over 3,000 soldiers to provide security.
The action follows a decision by Koirala last week to slash by half
the number of Nepal Army personnel stationed in the palace after he
was angered by the king's attending a religious festival without
informing him.
The king last week went to worship Kumari, Nepal's living goddess
and the protector of the royal dynasty, with a military escort,
causing the furious prime minister to summon the army chief Gen.
Rukmangud Katuwal, and order him to reduce the number of royal
guards.
The government's fear and distrust of the army has been increasing,
all the more so since it has singularly failed to punish the
generals who plotted with the king two years ago to seize absolute
power.
The agreement with the Maoists to merge the rebels' People's
Liberation Army with the state army has also angered the army, who
think such a union would be impossible.
Now the pact between Koirala and the Maoists to postpone the
constituent assembly indefinitely from the scheduled date of Nov 22
and seal the king's fate in parliament is bound to stoke further
resentment among the army old guard.
Instead of allowing the election to decide if Nepal should remain a
monarchy or become a republic, Koirala has called a special session
of parliament on Oct 11 when a vote by MPs will take the crucial
decision.
If two-thirds of the 327 legislators vote against monarchy, the
238-year-old Shah dynasty will become extinct.
Though there is doubt whether the Maoists will be able to muster the
support of two-thirds of the MPs, the number needed to see the
proposal through, if by some chance it comes through, the royal
family's reaction remains to be seen.
The election would have provided a lifeline to the cornered king
with several royalist parties joining the fray to save their beloved
crown.
Also, with Nepal's security situation deteriorating continuously, it
was always doubtful if the election would be held at all.
But now the sword is hovering lower and lower over the king's head.
The Maoists have threatened a fresh protest programme if the
monarchy wins Thursday's vote. So the royal family will continue to
have sleepless nights.
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