Role of Nepal Government to Crush the Khampa Insurgency and its Implication to Nepal

Abstract

Once in a history, northern parts of Nepalese border especially Mustang has been complained as a prolific field to promote vested interest of foreign intelligence agencies. Outcomes of their planned covert activities resulted political havoc and misfortunes. Political instability simmered after 1980 still hammering Nepal. Upper part of Mustang, which is known by ‘LO’ in Tibet, is still remote by many reasons where Khampa resistance against the Maoist regime of China was entrenched. During cold war era Central Intelligence Agency of (CIA) USA with Revolutionary Analysis Wing (RAW) mastered this low profiled guerrilla warfare against Chinese communism. Insurgent buildup of Khampas along the Northern border at Himalayan frontier mostly remained secret until Nepalese Government mobilized Nepal Army to destroy the Khampas hideouts from Mustang. Clandestine buildup made India, worried that china could send military in to Nepal. This issue become cross cutting issue to Nepalese Government which might have becomes diplomatic concern for Nepalese sovereignty. With this pressure Nepalese Government then decided to launch offensive military operation along Northern border of Nepal against Khampa insurgents. During this Khampa operation Nepal Army had divided military offensive plan into two phases and launched operation simultaneously at Mustang and Tinker. Until the end of 1976, before mobilizing Nepal Army, Khampas were opportune by limited presence of local administration. Then time Nepalese government remained unnoticed with insurgent movements and foreign involvement. In the period of ten years Khampas freedom fighters were successful to establish numerous operating bases and hideouts in Nepal and bordering areas of Mustang. As the insurgency was reaching at more crucial height, many refugees along with Khampa insurgents fled in to Nepal. Deteriorating situation here at Tibet was manipulated by CIA and RAW trained Khampa insurgents. Khampas had limited choice to reach India when, massive and rapid PLA deployment was in place. In order to avoid PLA concentration at south of Lasha, Khampa insurgents decided to take circuitous south west route to Mustang and surroundings. As Khampa insurgents and their arrogant activities was widening, Nepal Government decided to launch operation to stamp out Khampa activities. iii After offensive military campaign against this insurgency diplomatic history of two countries implicated in different folds. Political reversals in USA also had brought shocking impact for this deliberated uprising. Unfortunate consequences also matched with the official state visit to China by our Late King Birendra. It was his first state visit after he ascended into the throne. Diplomatic course with neighboring countries had already been framed by his late father King Mahendra. Specially with China foreseeing possible disturbances that India would exploit. Immediately on his return he ordered to mobilize Nepal Army against the Khampa rebels operating in the remote regions along Nepal Tibet border. Over the issue of Khampas India and USA became secret partners for long and exercised their power relationship. In an attempt to support underground guerilla warfare, intelligence agencies of US and India established training camps in Hale Colorado USA and Chakrata in India. This reflects clear aim of the western world over the Khampa uprising. Clandestine operations launched against PLA eventually remained limited only to secure Dalai Lama’s safe passage to India. At time when Tibetan issue became a contentious issue for world, Nepalese Political rhythm went complete against the western world and their allies. Successful offensive operation launched by Nepal Army against Khampa insurgency had drawn assertive political implications to the history of Nepal-China diplomatic relation. Action taken by Nepalese government was undermined by secret partners which had shaped the clear diplomatic path of Nepal-China bilateral relationship. Nevertheless, suspicious Chinese government always reacted far from distance.