A big mystery surrounds the six security personnel and a civilian from India who managed to enter the country with arms and ammunition. Among the arrested was Bajresh Singh, brother of the Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Indians had sten guns, LMG and pistols when they were arrested on 29 June at Thankot. They managed to travel all the way from Bhairawa, past tight security checks along the highway to reach the Valley. It is quite apparent that there is a conspiracy going on between the security forces.
According to Nepali law, the perpetrators should have been imprisoned for two years and fined Rs 6,000 each, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) not only released the arrested Indians but handed them over to the their embassy without any legal charges against the unlawful act. The government has not been able to justify its actions to a dissatisfied Nepali public. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy hasn't issued so much as a formal apology. We approached the MFA for clarification but they passed us on to the Home Ministry.
The biggest surprise is the silence of the political parties on the issue. Neither the Nepali Congress nor the UML, both of which strongly protested Indian security personnel entering Nepal and raiding a house in Baneswor, have not uttered a peep. Even the leftist parties that usually make mountains out of minor Indian interference in our affairs haven't spoken up. Hom Nath Dahal, leader of the ruling NC-D refused to comment. Sadhbhabana (Anand Debi) leader Hridayesh Tripathi pretended to be ill when asked for a quote. NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC says his party does not have enough information about the incident. Former foreign minister Prakash Chandra Lohani was surprised: "Is there no law against foreigners walking around with arms in this country? And why are the parties so quiet even when the government is unable to explain anything?" Among the few politicians who cared to comment was Amik Sherchan of Jana Morcha Nepal: "We have to understand that they came here with the intention of causing a big incident. No tourist travels around with lethal weapons."
