Rookmangud katawal biography of william
Nepali Times
Katawal locked away a vice-like handshake which Beside oneself thought was a part ticking off his psy-war repertoire.
In loftiness hour-long conversation, he wanted come to know the international reaction inherit the king’s takeover, and permitted a veiled warning to toe-hold the line.
Nearly ten years consequent, Katawal still has an charming handshake and the same practical manner. We were meeting rank Tuesday in a living persist festooned with framed photographs explode military honours.
His memoir, which will be published by nepa~laya this month, is brisk viewpoint brusque, just like the grainy general himself.
As an eight-year-old sheep Okhaldhunga, Rookmangud Katawal sneaked interruption the royal tent during uncut visit by King Mahendra. High-mindedness king, wearing shades even dead even night, was so impressed come together the boy he got him enrolled in the boarding academy in Pharping.
Katawal excelled in studies and never lost his precocity.
A descendant of Dev Raj Katawal, one of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s generals who was deal with during the siege of Katmandu in , he was predetermined for the military. Katawal maroon up the ranks, and neglect strong opposition from the aristocracy, became Army Chief during Nepal’s dramatic transition from war just now peace, from monarchy to nation.
Katawal outlasted the royal rulers who were his benefactors.
The public denies he had exclusive come close to the royal family, nevertheless admits turning those rumours lay aside his advantage. As Liaison Policeman to the Brigade of Gurkhas in , he hosted Shattering Birendra in Hong Kong swallow remembers frantically trying to show up the king’s favourite French brandy, and flying in a animate goat from Kathmandu for leadership royal birthday party.
Within five months of the royal massacre, birth army was sucked into representation war -- something Birendra confidential tried to avoid.
Katawal was then heading the Department bequest Military Intelligence, and says depiction army was made to brawl with its hands tied considering the palace’s instructions were solitary to disarm the Maoists with the addition of force them to negotiate.
Days hitherto Gyanendra’s coup, Katawal noticed join top generals sneaking off repeatedly to the palace.
“Something was cooking,” Katawal recalled. The let down and army chief reassured Kathmandu-based ambassadors there was no exploit planned. The next day bonus 9AM, the prime minister was sacked and Gyanendra took carry out. Katawal remembers one envoy forcible him: “Your king is calligraphic liar.”
Katawal admits he was in the early stages in favour of the grand takeover to “teach the politicians a lesson” so the legions could focus on defeating position Maoists.
But when Gyanendra tailor-made accoutred Tulsi Giri and Kirtinidhi Bista as co-chairmen, he knew with your wits about you wouldn’t work. Within 14 months, Gyanendra was forced to action down.
In , with just months left in his possession as Army Chief, Maoist Normalize Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal proved to tempt Katawal to retire in return for an ambassadorship at the UN or Writer.
When the general refused, Dahal sacked him.
The ensuing cascade leave undone events resulted in President Pattern Baran Yadav asking Katawal dealings continue in office, and Dahal’s resignation the next morning. Katawal’s account of 3 May silt as riveting as a adventure, how he took two pickups of Special Forces to Baluwatar with instructions to storm illustriousness building if he didn’t come back every ten minutes.
Back at HQ, the situation was tense.
Depiction Maoists had appointed Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka as Chief, nevertheless Katawal was still in be in power till midnight. “You bloody jester, what do you think complete are doing?” Katawal says earth told Khadka, but what no problem really said is probably unprintable.
“Prachanda knew if he could make back over the army no sole could stop him,” Katawal says.
Had he accepted Dahal’s put forward of ambassadorship and resigned, compilation surrendered on 3 May, Nepal may be a different unfitting today – probably a one-party dictatorship.
Katawal doesn’t hide his derogation for Dahal’s manipulations, “Mr Cloud” (Ram Bahadur Thapa) and potentate hard line, Girija Koirala work capitulating to the Maoists, finish Ian “Mr Comrade” Martin instruction UNMIN for undermining democracy.
After span recent books by Sudheer Sharma and Prashant Jha which splendidly the depth of involvement be incumbent on Indian intelligence, Katawal’s memoir gives us another insider’s account spick and span the events that shaped modern Nepali history.
An English interpretation is awaited.
Excerpts
Two translated sections differ Rookmangud Katawal’s memoir.
April
“Your rank is a liar,” British minister Bloomfield told me one day.
I could not accept such details being said about our mind of state and supreme ruler.
I shot back: “How could you ever say that burden my king?”
Bloomfield repeated even bonus tersely: “He is not introduce to be king.”
The exchange went on for a while, however I could not convince goodness ambassador. None of the Kathmandu-based envoys were for an efficient monarchy, so they were moan welcome in the palace.
But greatness people surrounding King Gyanendra, crucial those who were using her majesty power, did not warn rank King that he was misfortune international support.
At a repel when he should have bent showing some flexibility, the Awkward had become more rigid.
I reliable to convince the Chief diverse times to take the find out to the King that be active should meet the NC trip UML, which still had favoured support. He never replied.
The cause a rift war
Sunday, 3 May
My lassie Nepolina called early in prestige morning from America.
She court case even more direct than alias, just like her grandfather (my father).
"How are things, Chhori?" Uproarious asked.
"Dad, keep on fighting," she said, "you are taking clever constitutional stand."
To boost my attitude she used to write emails like this: 'You are be at odds the right side of history.'
Her belief was that you can't be afraid to fight conj admitting you are a soldier.
She continued on the phone: "Dad, if you are convinced order around are right, don't surrender."
My daughter-in-law, Sulachana, is engaged on alternative front: to read emails, return and document them, and be a fan of Nepali and international media feel. My wife, Uma, was lay hands on Pokhara. My son Subhangad (Darwin) is a soldier like rutted, he was in the Panchkhal Base training troops going musical for peacekeeping.
Like other Conference in the army, he was curious about what was incident. My grandchildren knew what was going on watching tv.
"Prachanda Scribbler and Sita Aunty used allure come to visit Daddy, they would take me in their laps. Why are you combat now?" my grand-daughter asked. Uncontrollable didn't bring my work-related rule the roost home, but the children property exposed to tv and newspapers.
Others in the household were also updated.
Distracted by them, Side-splitting was a bit late deriving to office. I as all round by "Sir, the Defence Set out is on the line," calligraphic member of the staff aforesaid as soon as I got there.
"Chief, could you come have got to Baluwatar?" he asked, "the Top Minister urgently wants to look you."
"And where are you Common Secretary?" I asked.
"I am besides at Baluwatar," he replied.
Variety soon as I hung aim, there was another call. Efficient member of the Baluwatar cover detail reported: "Kul Bahadur survey with the Prime Minister soar Defence Minister in Baluwatar."
I unattractive what was going on being a well-wisher Maoist minister challenging already told me to look forward to be let go. Hysterical was on the cusp funding my final battle.
It was win or lose.
From the auto, I first called the Vice-president. "I think I am procedure called to be sacked, with reference to is no way I dishonour going to surrender, Sir."
Then Rabid informed Girija Babu, and to the fullest negotiating Kathmandu's traffic, I managed to call all the grade leaders of the main parties to tell them what was going on.
I also aware my foreign military and cordial friends. My message to go into battle of them was: "The Nepal Army does not surrender, support can do as you wish."
I arrived at the Prime Minister's residence at 10 AM buffed my security at ready. Unrestrained had taken Section Plus emancipation the Special Forces with flatten, and at Baluwatar we difficult a Company under the guide of a Colonel.
In file the Maoist tried to hold back me, I had a free plan in place.
I had gather Chhatraman from the car: "I am off to Baluwatar, Kul Bahadur is apparently there, practice the Headquarter, you take greatness command, but don't make keen move unless you hear disseminate me."
Even my ADC is whoop allowed to enter the Paint Minister's residence, so I omitted them in the lawn out, under instruction to enter postulate they got my order.
"Every 10 minutes I will be apparent where you can see available, if you don't see pulp inform those outside and whirlwind the building," I told them.
At , I was taken contents. My old acquaintance, Om Sharma, who was the Prime Minister's press adviser, was there. "Hi, Mr Adviser how goes it?" I asked, "I hear prickly have called the Cabinet hyperbole discuss Kul Bahadur.
Why own you called me?"
He ordered dried out coffee, and said, "Just assign me a second."
He tried show accidentally distract me: "Chief, I catch you have invested Rs bomb in Kantipur, is it true?"
"Sure, I have invested some depose the money I looted give birth to 65 banks," I retorted, soar he was too taken on the hop to reply.
I remembered Prachanda's wife, Sita, once asking unfocused wife, Uma in Sashi Bhavan: "They say you have spiffy tidy up house in Noida, is lose concentration true?"
Before Uma could respond, Unrestrainable shot back: "Look for unequivocal, and if you find kosher, it's half yours and section mine."
My security informed me dump at nearly 11 that Kul Bahadur left the Prime Minister's residence through a side doorstep with an envelope in cap hand.
I immediately understood saunter Kul Bahadur had received sovereignty Army Chief appointment letter.
"I'm off," I said as I got up to go. Just corroboration, the Defence Minister and Command centre Secretary walked in. "One moment," the Defence Secretary said, curb me.
"What?" I barked.
"You have damage receive this letter," he said.
"What letter?" I asked.
"A thank prickly letter on behalf of magnanimity government," he said.
"Am I unadorned peon?" I said stiffly, "did I come here to obtain official letters wherever you want?"
"You have the right not undulation receive the letter," the Vindication Minister said, opening his along for the first time.
I strode off to my car.
Kul Bahadur had left minutes previously, so I told the utility to use the siren soar rush back to Headquarters. Wild was busy on the headset, informing the President, Girija Man and top political leaders have a view of the Maoist decision. I bass them it was an under the table decision and I was crowd going to relinquish my position.
"This isn't just a blow puzzle out the Nepal Army, it recap also a blow to democracy," I said.
The President, Girija Babu and others told cause to be in to strongly maintain my sit for. It was clear that goodness Maoists had taken a biased decision in the council unsaved ministers, and the UML, Sadbhavana, Forum ministers had boycotted righteousness meeting, saying the move was unacceptable.
Kul Bahadur had reached illustriousness Headquarter a few minutes previously I got there are 11AM, he had showed them ruler appointment letter, telling the Symmetrical General to start the occasion of installing him as Chief.
But Nepal Bhusan Chand argued: "Whatever the decision Chief Katawal's duration is till 12 midnight."
All description PSOs were in the negotiating period room waiting under Chhatraman's enjoin when I got to birth office.
I made a fainting fit important calls, but most dying them had already heard zigzag I had been told let fall step down and Kul Bahadur had been made acting Chief.
I went to the PSO gettogether and said that under clumsy circumstances was I going assent to surrender, I was ready knowledge fight anyone and not burgle to bow down before spiffy tidy up Maoist dictatorship.
"I am not farewell to accept this unlawful preference that goes against the Construct and the Peace Agreement which are supposed to be hard at it only with a consensus," Farcical told the PSOs, "what dent you think?"
The PSOs only alleged "Right Sir, right, Sir." On the other hand the meeting's conclusion was meander whatever the legality of righteousness government's decision, my tenure lenghty till midnight."
I asked Kul Bahadur to be called to righteousness meeting, and he came get the message looking flustered.
I immediately pounced on him: "Hey, Comrade, spoils whose orders did you sip to Baluwatar?"
A man who was boasting till a while behindhand that he was chief looked wilted and scared. He replied: "The Defence Minister summoned cruel, Sir,"
"Don't you know the army's chain of command, Mister? Who gave you the order find time for go there?" my voice confidential got even louder.
"I tried play-act calling you on your portable many times," he said, "the Defence Minister called me oftentimes and I thought you challenging asked for me."
"Liar," I said.
"No sir, no, Sir," he vocal even more meekly.
"Go, leave nowadays, you have nothing to better here," I sent him noise, and then told Chhatraman instruction Gaurav not to let joke out of the Headquarters in want my orders.
"Everyone stays here."
The DGMO immediately instructed all relevant fitments across the country to have reservations about on standby. The Valley bases were asked to remain gratify barracks until further notice.
At 12 noon, the Defence Ministry insinuate a letter to Headquarters, fairy story I asked a copy well faxed to the President folk tale a letter written to him to say that the resolution of the council of ministers was "unconstitutional".
Soon after, Wild got word that the NC's Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sushil Koirala were on their secede to see the President. Significance UML leaders were also bar their way to Shital Niwas. There were meetings at diversified levels in the rooms bring into play the President's office, with civilian society, lawyers were all anent for the biggest crisis because the President was installed digit months previously.
I was acquiring information from there at habitual intervals. The parties were anxious that if the Chief kneels, the Maoists will gobble leave behind the country. "Katawal should jam, we shouldn't let the Maoists get away with this," was the common refrain.
I instructed grapple army formations throughout the kingdom to be on standby allow apprised them of the eventuality.
In response, the Maoists near extinction to get their fighters withdraw of the cantonments to do Kul Bahadur Army Chief.
Even though the short-term plan short vacation the Maoists was to exchange me with Kul Bahadur, their long-term intention was to set a date for their own chief, induct standup fight 19, fighters into the gray and make one of them the Chief.
Kul Bahadur was only a pawn.
There was inept way I was going call by let that happen. But owing to the clock ticked away, rendering country was sinking deeper prick a crisis. It was premier, and still no sign have fun a letter from the President.
The top generals met in natty secret room, and agreed inconspicuously wait till midnight for authority President, if not we were ready to go fight retreat.
We sent this word problem the senior leaders around interpretation President.
Meanwhile, some UML leader evidently advised the President to theatrical mask both Kul Bahadur and trick to step down. The UML was flip-flopping by the age, it looked like they challenging no interest in defending self-governme.
We understood that this was a face-saving proposal for Prachanda. I send word to probity President that it was either Kul Bahadur or me, recognized had to chose one.
Presidential advisers called to say it was difficult to get all greatness parties to agree, and next to was looking like the argument would have to go fulfil the courts.
I told him it would best if interpretation President took a decision wedge midnight. I was livid habit the cowardice shown by goodness parties, and I sent them the final word: "My actuality finishes by 12 o'clock power night, we are not set off to surrender. No way. Distracted don’t want to do anything unpleasant myself."
Soon after at 11pm, the President himself called.
“Do I have to put proffer in writing?” The President freely. “Can’t I not write it?”
I replied: “If it is mass in writing, there will properly a question of legitimacy. Shipshape and bristol fashion letter would resolve the issue.”
By then, KP Oli had got to Shital Niwas despite culminate health problems, and called abide by say the President had persuaded to send the letter subject to inform all the generals.
A few minutes later, the carbon arrived, giving continuity to free position as Chief of Swarm Staff.
It was a sunlit and direct letter, just in that we wanted. Soon after, overturn mobile and all the landlines started ringing off the hook.
The needle on my watch was 15 minutes to midnight. Side-splitting showed the generals the message, and instructed that all billet be informed and ordered turn this way all new information should violate me first.
The generals heaved sighs of relief and went to their rooms. But Farcical wasn’t sleepy, and went keep meet my soldiers outside inspect the Headquarter compound. Two unprivileged three security staff followed robust, but I told them take advantage of go catch some sleep.
The fighter on sentry duty asked hoist for my password, which one in the compound needs astern 10pm.
"Don't you recognise me?" Hysterical asked the soldier, but forbidden wouldn't let me go steer clear of the password.
It was only later I gave the password think about it he stood at attention.
"How utter you?
Sleepy?" I asked "do you know what is incident in the country?"
"Yes, I conclude, Sir," he replied.
"Tell me," Rabid said.
"We are fighting the Maoists, Sir," he said.
"How do prickly know?"
"I have FM radio inelegant my mobile, and the commanding officer also briefed us."
I asked him: "So, should I step down?"
"No, Sir, if you order prevalent we are ready to fight." I was proud with jurisdiction answer.
Just then, the security leader arrived with his unit.
Do something also said: "Your stand hype right, Sir, there is ham-fisted way we should run malfunction from a fight."
I went tutorial another post, then another. Unrestrainable found them more alert near committed than us generals.
At the witching hour, suddenly I remembered that Uma was on her her target back from Pokhara.
I hadn't had time to call disgruntlement all day. I longed turn over to speak to her.
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