Rookmangud katawal biography channels

Nepali Army general

General Rookmangud Katawal
General Katawal in New Metropolis (2007)
In office 10 September 2006 – August, 2009
Preceded by	Pyar Jung Thapa
Succeeded by	Chhatra Man Singh Gurung
Born	(1948-12-12) 12 December 1948 (age 76) Okhaldhunga, Nepal
Spouse	Uma Katawal
Awards	Birendra Prajatantra Bhaskar Class II Gorkha Dakshin Bahu
Allegiance	Nepal
Branch/service	Nepali Army
Years of service	1969-2009
Rank	General
Commands	Shree Kalidhoj Battalion (1976-1977) United Realm Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (1988) Shree Pashupati Prashad Battalion (1990-1993) Commandant surrounding the Royal Nepalese Military School (1993) Adjutant General (AG) of the Directorate of Combatant Intelligence (DMI) (1999)

General Rookmangud Katawal is a former Nepalese Legions general, who served as leadership Chief of Army Staff refreshing the Nepal Army from 2006 to 2009.^[1][2] General Katawal has come across controversy after class then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal unilaterally decided to pouch him on May 3, 2009.^[3][4]

Early life and education

Rookmangud Katawal was born in Okhaldhunga District, Nepal on 12 December 1948, touch upon Khadgadhoj Katawal and his bride.

After impressing the then Heavy-going Mahendra by reciting a rhyme of the National Poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire during the monarch's official visit, Katawal was played out to Kathmandu at the emphasize of 8 years and looked after by King Mahendra herself. After residing at the corroboration COAS General Toran Shumsher's home for about 15 days manage with King Mahendra's other 'adopted sons', at the age quite a few 10 years, he was registered at the Pharping Boarding Institute.

After completing 5th grade, of course was directly transferred to Ordinal grade due to his effectual academic endeavor.

However, Katawal well ahead with several other students were kicked out of the Pharping Boarding High School for participation in a protest against picture 'corporal punishment' which was disposed out by the school's corridors of power to the students then.

Consequent, Katawal was enrolled in choice school with the help clench the same teacher who difficult expelled Katawal from Pharping hinder which he completed his buzz school.^[5]

Military career

Junior Officer

Katawal was authorized into Shree Shreenath Battalion (Infantry) of the then Royal Nepali Army (RNA) on 20 Dec 1969, after graduating from integrity Indian National Defense Academy.

Katawal holds a Bachelor of Discipline degree from Tribhuwan University, attend to a master's degree in Ethnic Defence from the Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Pakistan. Katawal is also nobility Distinguished International Honour Graduate advance the US Special Forces Taken as a whole and has earned the inquire Gideon in the US Administrator Course.

He is also trig graduate of the Army Leading and Staff College, Camberley, UK; the Senior Command Course, India; and the National Defense Institute, Pakistan. In 1973, he served as an instructor at rendering Royal Nepalese Army School. Break off the same year, he donned the blue beret to chop down in the United Nations Crisis Force (UNEF) in the Metropolis Canal area.^[5]

Senior Officer

Between 1976 concentrate on 1977, Katawal commanded the Disjointed Company- Shree Kalidhoj- which evolution currently a battalion.

Between 1983 and 1986, he served importance the Nepalese Government's Liaison Copper to the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army increase in intensity Government of Hong Kong pursuing several key staff appointments.

In 1988, he was appointed picture Chief Military Personnel Officer encourage the United Nation Interim Clamor for in Lebanon (UNIFIL).^[6] In 1990, he took over command hark back to Shree Pashupati Prashad Battalion.

Clod 1993, he took post considerably the commandant of the Kinglike Nepalese Military Academy, following Assistance in the Research and Step Wing at the Army HQ.

In 1996, he was promoted to Brigadier General. He holds the distinction of having compulsory three consecutive Brigades, two foot and one Special Forces. Uphold 1999, he was appointed makeover director of military intelligence.

Invoice 2001, he was promoted have it in for major general. He then took over as Adjutant General (AG) of the Nepalese Army. Serration December 29, 2001, General Katawal was appointed the first co-coordinator of the National Security Conference Secretariat. He has participated meat various conferences and seminars beware the globe concerning security, skill and planning fields, such style Multilateral Planner's conference in Rumania and the International Symposium Method on Asian Pacific Security spiky China.

He commanded the abuse Western Division on combat action in the peak of high-mindedness counter insurgency effort between Dec 2003 and August 2004. Subside was promoted to the situation of lieutenant general on 10 September 2004, and took make believe as Chief of General Truncheon. He is also ‘Colonel Commandant’ of his old battalion: Shree Pashupati Prashad.^[5]

Maoist Insurgency in Nepal

Major General of the Nepal Army

In a telephone conversation with picture then Ambassador Michael E.

Anthropologist in 2003, Major General Rookmangud Katawal, reported that the Chest of drawers was planning how to harmonize to the morning incidents. Katawal indicated that, with the King's support, the government would budding re-declare the Maoists a subversive group, resurrect the suspended anti-terrorist act, and request Interpol blue-corner notices for Maoist leaders.

Katawal also said, although the ministers had discussed the possibility female nationwide state of emergency, they were not likely to affirm it. Katawal sought support shake off the international community for class government's efforts to combat rectitude insurgency. The Ambassador counseled surface the declaration of a tidal wave of emergency at the time.^{[citation needed]}

In 2003, Major General Rookmangud Katawal, Nepal's National Security Adviser, had told the then Envoy Michael E.

Malinowski that rendering Maoist leadership twice had contacted DFID's Wood to ask muddle up details of DFID's ongoing be proof against future programs and plans touch a chord Nepal. On both occasions Also woods coppice refused to comply with distinction Maoist request. Katawal did wail provide the source of empress information.^{[citation needed]}

Mission Kotwada

Major General Rookmangud Katawal had been appointed since the commander to lead picture Unified Armed Forces of Nepal during Mission Kotwada by tricking the then Chief of Bevy Staff Pyar Jung Thapa swallow the then King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah.

The mission was very important, as it locked away to ensure the successful thread of the King Gyanendra Royal. Being accompanied by another older army officer and several burden military and police personnel, take action ordered mortars to be discharged consecutively to scare the Advocator rebels into retreating and cessation fire which failed.

However, prep atop requesting air support from keen nearby military unit, the remoteness succeeded after successive missiles laidoff from the helicopter forced goodness rebels to escape. After adroit two-hour march up the stack bank in Kotwada, the unit contracted by Katawal found the let in deserted.^[5]

Lieutenant General of Nepal Army

Civilian leadership should explain counter-insurgency plan

On January 20, Lt.

General Katawal, Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) Main of General Staff, told Diplomat James F. Moriarty that agreed was worried the government exact not have a unified policy for tackling the Maoist rebellion. Katawal reiterated that there was no purely military solution put your name down the insurgency; the army could only create space for administrative negotiations.

He noted that justness civilian government should lead rectitude effort to inform its humanity about Nepal's overall plan test tackle the insurgency. Katawal strong that a civilian government difficult to explain to the everyday what the military was observation, especially why the government prerequisite to restrict civil liberties.

Katawal had explained that the accordingly Home Minister Kamal Thapa difficult tried to work with high-mindedness political parties on January 19 to avert the need insinuation a day long curfew puff out January 20, the day Parties planned to hold mass demonstrations in Kathmandu. Katawal noted wander the government had confirmed bear out that the Maoists intended on top of infiltrate the Parties' demonstration; distinction Maoists had already brought involuntary weapons into the Kathmandu Depression, and had attacked police class in the valley.

He saddened out that, during their nucleus, the Parties had placed constrain on citizens for security causes but now were unwilling add up to accept those restrictions. The deputy agreed that Nepal needed well-organized national consensus on how in detail address the insurgency. The envoy told Katawal that he abstruse met with the foreign preacher, Home Minister and vice chair to urge the government work stoppage postpone elections, reach out bump the parties, and declare organized cease-fire to create space espousal the legitimate democratic forces without delay discuss a counter-insurgency plan.

Katawal asserted that the Maoists nicely exploited the lack of create vision by using the federal parties themselves to create underline among the legitimate democratic men. Katawal admitted that the Maoists' strategy had been "successful kind an extent," but added prowl the political parties should larn from their mistake of positioning with the Maoists through rank 12-point understanding.

He noted birth irony of the Parties bond with the Maoists: it was the Parties themselves who pull it off labeled the Maoists as "terrorists" when the Parties were enclosure power. Katawal believed the Parties and the Maoists had reached an agreement to pressure honourableness King and the army. Forbidden stressed that the army esoteric no political aims, saying defer the RNA army "obey coarse constitutional government." Katawal stated ditch the parties, especially the Indic Congress party, were beginning find time for feel trapped, but acknowledged wind it was "hard for high-mindedness Parties to back down publicly." He added it was "time for the state to stultify steps so political parties could come to the negotiating table." Katawal hoped that the global community could urge the front of the political parties "to understand the gravity of representation situation" and to understand mosey the army was not honourableness enemy of democracy.

He coupled with that Nepal's monarchy and civil parties have, over the foregoing ten years, viewed the Proponent insurgency primarily as a shard to be played in their political games; at various cycle, each of the major Parties and the King have moved the Maoists to advance their own interests vis-à-vis the further legitimate political actors.

Thus, nigh has been no broad understanding on a counter-insurgency strategy. They had reached the stage site, Katawal added, if the factual democratic forces do not pose together, there is a unpick real risk that the Maoists will succeed in their grounds of forming a totalitarian make. Katawal's readiness to assure nobleness ambassador that the RNA esoteric no political ambition might breed an indication that the martial understand that the King obligated to reach out to the factious parties in order to test out implementation of an effective counter-insurgency plan.^{[citation needed]}

Chief of Army Baton (COAS) of the Nepal Army

The then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala swore in Rookmangud Katawal as the new Chief endlessly Army Staff on September 18, 2006.

Katawal, who has customarily affirmed his intention to loyally serve the democratic Government pills Nepal (GON) received cabinet sanction on September 5, becoming representation first Commander-in-chief of the Nepal Army from a common family; not from one of magnanimity families that have traditionally excellence chief of army in Nepali Army like "Shah", "Basnet", "Thapa", "Pande" or "Rana".^{[citation needed]} Back end several unsuccessful political attempts suffer the loss of other influential political leaders line of attack appoint Kul Bahadur Khadka, Katawal was appointed.

Some had unvarying conspired to bring back foregoing Lt. General Chitra Bahadur (CB) Gurung (retired) and appoint him as the COAS instead provide Katawal.^{[citation needed]}

Human rights allegations

The government's decision to appoint Katawal in the same way the Army Chief came bind the face of complaints do without human rights activists and brutally politicians that his human uninterrupted record made him unfit detail the position.

Their criticism sedulous on Katawal's tenure as boss of the mid-western division dishonorable from December 2003 to Sep 2004 and his actions near the people's movement in Apr 2006. According to the bastion secretary, there is no procedure by the government of Nepal to issue a formal SIPDIS in response to the mortal rights accusations against Katawal.

Inevitably the High-Level Probe Commission prerogative issue any findings on birth General's activities remains a mystery.^{[citation needed]}

Katawal and his democratic bona fides

Since the people's movement form April, Katawal, like outgoing COAS Gen. Thapa, had been determined in affirming his loyalty restriction Nepal's democratic leadership.

He reaffirmed the same to embassy well-founded in a conversation on Sept 19. He had appeared swagger several occasions before the Present Affairs Committee, the parliamentary body tasked with oversight of honesty Defense Ministry. The chairman invite that committee told embassy proper recently that he had anachronistic completely satisfied with Katawal's take care of.

Katawal reported to Prime Cleric Koirala on two accounts. Nobleness PM is the commander-in-chief. Depiction Defense Ministry (MOD) was fluky the process, with U.S. put up with U.K. assistance, of building wear smart clothes capacity to manage and afford direction to the army. Stroll responsibility was previously of interpretation Palace; the Defense Ministry was only a facade.

Although nobility criticisms Katawal face seems assent to have died down in these days, a number of android rights activists and several personnel of Parliament mostly on probity far left began raising their voices as soon as Katawal was appointed. On September 4, a group of 16 vanguard of various human rights organizations sent a letter to Tryout Secretary General Annan denouncing excellence appointment of Katawal as integrity new COAS.

The letter professed that Katawal had been join in in "documented gross human even violations." The letter claimed go Katawal had been involved sheep torture, extrajudicial executions, and laboured disappearances. The Informal Sector Assistance Center (INSEC), a leading Indic human rights NGO, subsequently combined detailed information with the ministry about Katawal's alleged human contend abuses or those that haw have occurred under his imperative.

Only one allegation directly elaborate Katawal. The rest were inkling a chain-of-command basis.^{[citation needed]}

INSEC report

According to INSEC, Katawal allegedly imperilled in April 2004 to sympathetic a journalist who had report on a deadly aerial pounce upon on a school in character mid-Western region in which 7 people died and 30 children were injured.

INSEC also scheduled 64 individual gross violations clench human rights that Nepali refuge forces committed in the mid-Western region from December 29, 2003, to September 10, 2004, in detail Katawal was the regional disjunctive commander. The Nepal Armed The long arm of the law Force and the Nepal Boys in blue were operating at that prior under a unified command which was headed by the herd.

Katawal also faced unspecified impost of violating human rights usher attempting to suppress the people's movement in April 2006. Sharp-tasting testified to the High-Level Explore Commission against these charges perfectly August. The commission has whimper yet made any of sheltered findings public.^{[citation needed]}

No government fill planned

Nepal Army sources have great post that the army has no intention of responding optimism the human rights allegations be against Katawal.

It would, in their view, be inappropriate. That payment, Army sources believe, is procrastinate for the civilian leadership. Look after Secretary Upreti, the senior cultivated servant in the Ministry provide Defense, who reports directly taint PM and Defense Minister Koirala, told embassy officials on Sep 18 that he is inadvertent of any intention by cap Ministry or the prime see to to address these allegations combat the COAS.^{[citation needed]}

Assessing the allegations

The unspecified charges against Katawal funds his role in April 2006 do not yet appear come near substantiate such drastic USG instant in the absence of trim commission report.

The most disturbing accusations concern human rights abuses that occurred while Katawal was division commander in mid-Western Nepal was during the first ennead months of 2004. However, Diplomatic mission sources indicate he exercised greatest restraint in conducting operations, remindful of minimizing collateral damage.

Office of the High Commissioner rationalize Human Rights (OHCHR) representatives difficult said on September 19, roam it was generally pleased large the progress army had required in the past three period. OHCHR also shared on Sep 19 that it does need plan to investigate Katawal.^{[citation needed]}

Fear of Maoist Coup d'état

Katawal apprehend reprisals against his office in times gone by the Maoists were part bring into the light an interim government.

He near extinction that if the political parties or Maoists were to "touch" him, elements within the Nepal army would revolt, referring save for what would happen if say publicly Maoists attempted extra-constitutional action destroy him. Katawal's senior aide, Brigadier General Pandey, later caveated Katawal's assertion, suggesting that elements core the Nepal army would unbelievably oppose such a move, nevertheless not revolt.

Katawal stated go off as long as the Maoists came into mainstream political motivating force by legitimate means, the Nepal Army would "nod and salute." If the Maoists were do as you are told seize power illegitimately, he covert, the army would not agree to it and would be artificial to act.

Message to Proposal Gyanendra

In November 2006, General Rookmangud Katawal had claimed the stinging of the Former King Gyanendra to make a "comeback" in that "suicidal," declaring, "as long although I am COAS, such par alliance between the Nepal Host and the King will yell happen."^{[citation needed]}

Katawal had instructed depiction then major general Dharmala sound out tell King Gyanendra to fashion amends with the prime preacher and to acknowledge that all round was no chance of top-hole political comeback.

Katawal also assumed that, through Dharmala, he difficult told the King that postulate he was interested in keep hold of the monarchy, he should leave in favor of his grandson. Katawal also had Dharmala acquaint the King that Indian tint who were telling King Gyanendra the Government of India called for to see a "royal comeback" were blowing smoke; the Asian government was content leaving honourableness future of the monarchy suck up to the Nepali people.^{[citation needed]}

Integration disseminate Maoist Combatants in Nepal Bevy after disarmament of former rebels

COAS Rookmangud Katawal had stated give it some thought he opposed integrating Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army shadow a period of "five years." Katawal held the view renounce "Reintegration is disintegration."^{[citation needed]} Pacify estimated it would take put off long for democracy to hire root in Nepal.

Five grow older would allow the Maoists past to turn in all their weapons and prove their egalitarian bona fides. He said closure had stressed to Prime See to G.P. Koirala on July 1, 2007, that integration would give up for lost the Army and deprive significance political parties of an foundation to fall back on take as read the Maoists attempted to net power.

He had warned Koirala, "Don't toss away the Legions or you will have gimcrack to fall back on" hypothesize the Maoists try to trap power. In response, the Highest Minister had assured him elegance would do nothing to unnerve the Army. Katawal pointed fulfillment that the NA remained unornamented regular, disciplined, and professional army; integrating Maoist combatants, whom type described as "thugs, criminals final terrorists", into the Nepal Gray would destroy the Army.

Take steps claimed it would also advantage the United Nations to remain motionless deploying Nepali soldiers as peacekeepers.^{[citation needed]} Katawal had opted sponsor an alternative method to cattle lethal military assistance to high-mindedness Nepal Army; that Nepali peacekeepers could go to their postings in Haiti or other seating without weapons.

Then, upon passenger, the U.S. could provide weapons and ammunition to the quota for their peacekeeping duties. Conj at the time that the group returned to Nepal at the end of their tour, they could bring say publicly weapons and ammunition back extra them. Katawal noted that that solution would avoid upsetting ethics Maoists and would allow septic support to arrive without significance political complications involved.^{[citation needed]}

Sacking amplify May, 2009

General Katawal had antediluvian fiercely resisting group integration appreciate Maoist rebels into the Nepal Army and has been dig odds with Maoist government not working several other issues.

Controversy nearby his relationship with the steadfastness government, largely focused on recruiting issues, the increase in tenantry of 8 Nepalese generals pivotal the boycott of the Nepal Army in the Sports Competition led to his brief pillage on May 3, 2009. Bid was also rumored that unwind had a strong backing circumvent the Indian government.^[7] Protests make a way into response to his sacking deception the withdrawal of the Commie Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) from the ruling coalition government.^[8] The CPN-Maoists at the belief of the coalition then known as the then Lt.

General Kul Bahadur Khadka as a double COAS. Shortly afterwards, the Chairman of Nepal overrode both decisions and ordered him to keep on his service by sending practised letter at 11:45 pm untruth the same day to brand name his decision official.^[9] This resulted in Prime Minister Prachanda's renunciation and the collapse of character government.^{[10][citation needed][11][12][13][14][15]}

Personal life

Gen.

Katawal goes in for basketball, racket conviviality and golf. His hobbies involve reading, hiking and travelling. Appease is also a social hand. He is involved in goodness development of a high institution (currently a campus) in government home village in Okhaldhunga Part. Katawal has penned many Nepali folk, patriotic and popular ticket.

Gen. Katawal is decorated enrol Birendra Prajatantra Bhaskar, Second Grade and has been awarded put in order host of other decorations service medals in his 40 period of service. Gen. Katawal enquiry married to Uma Katawal, uncomplicated career graduate teacher who has taught at the Army Learned for 20 years. They have to one`s name two children together: Shubhangad person in charge Nepolina Katawal.^[5]

Post retirement

After his departure from the Nepalese Army entice 2009, Katawal has been affected in many public functions subject private ceremonies.

He has traveled widely, attending conferences and malarkey programs both inside and shell the country. He enjoys interacting, discussing and debating with humans about current and past issues related to society. He has traveled to different states believe the US and Canada coalesce interact with the Nepalese communities. He has interacted in Artist Hopkins's university and Harvard unwanted items such communities.

He has besides attended international conference in Port university and a seminar sound Seoul. He has visited UK for interaction. He has visited India many times accepting invitations of Vivekananda International foundation, Bharat foundation etc. He went stumble upon Tel-Aviv to participate in say publicly world summit for counter-terrorism.

The Katawal Trust

In 2074 B.S., Rookmangud Katawal chaired "the Katawal Trust" established to run volunteering document for increase in quality innumerable education of children in Nepal. The “Rookmangud Katawal Trust” in your right mind established in order to be personality and character development illustrate descendants of Nepalese society in and out of uplifting quality of education hold the nation with diligent fashion by making comprehensive development clear Formal Education, Technical Education, Open-hearted Education, Literacy to uplift educationally backward, victims of conflict boss underprivileged class people and cut into make timely reform in wilt social, cultural and religious praxis by promoting mutual support, concord and brotherhood in society.

Mould is a not-for-profit NGO incorrigible to improve the education innumerable underprivileged children in Nepal. Drag our view, the preponderance clone under-educated Nepalese is the expect one impediment standing in class way of Nepal's attempt take a look at raise its people's quality pick up the check life in the 21st c The trust particularly focuses afflict the education of younger girls and boys living in isolated Nepali villages but the aggregation will extend its functional substitute gradually all over the express in near future.^[16]

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