KATHMANDU: As the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) awaits endorsement from the parliament, Nepal’s security agencies have construed that China has been stirring anti-MCC protests in the country of late.

The country has witnessed a lot of hue and cry at a time when MCC Vice President Fatema Sumar and Deputy Vice President Jonathan Brooks are arriving in Kathmandu later this week.

Khabarhub talked to several security officials, including those from the police, National Investigation Department and military on the ongoing demonstrations and anti-MCC campaigns.

The majority of them assuredly said China was behind the protests and is lobbying against MCC. According to them, pro-China organizations, hard-line communists and former monarchists have intensified movements against the backdrop of the government convening a convention to approve the MCC agreement by September 14 — the fourth anniversary of the agreement.

“Since there has been a lot of misunderstanding, misperception and confusion on the MCC-funded project in Nepal, China has taken this misconception as an opportunity to provoke anti-MCC movement in the country,” a highly-placed security official told Khabarhub insisting anonymity.

Besides the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Police, the National Investigation Department, and the military intelligence, too, has come to the conclusion that the protests are being organized by some individuals and organizations which are close to China.

As the threats of physical attacks on US projects and US citizens have increased of late, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on September 5, warning that those involved in such activities would be brought to book.

The United States is Nepal’s largest market and is still the second-largest export market. As the largest donor, the United States wants to see Nepal secure, sovereign, democratic, stable, and prosperous.

Security officials have to say that approximately 150 anti-MCC contents are being circulated to a substantial number of Nepali social media users through digital platforms. Likewise, China has also been spending a considerable amount for this purpose, according to security officials.

Speaking to Khabarhub on the condition of anonymity, a government minister also confirmed that China was indirectly piling pressure on Nepal to stop MCC.

“We receive dozens of threatening messages every day warning that people would revolt if MCC is endorsed,” he told Khabahub.

The minister said he has also received several threat calls and messages in the name of “public”.

“As a political figure, we deal with them accordingly,” he added.

According to him, some think tanks close to China have also suggested amendments in the MCC.

“People have been telling us that MCC will ruin the country in the long run,” he added.

Meanwhile, political analyst and foreign affairs expert, Arun Subedi said the circumstances show that people and organizations close to China, and those who have earlier lobbied in favor of Venezuela, North Korea and Iran have been protesting against the MCC.

Meanwhile, discussions are underway in the Home Ministry on the possibility of the escalation of protests at the instigation of some radical communists, monarchists, and the Chinese after the MCC is tabled in parliament for approval.

The Home Ministry has instructed all the four security agencies to remain on high alert as anti-system elements have become active under the pretext of protesting the MCC project.

Considering the probability of such protests, police have remained “busy collecting information” about the anti-MCC groups, their objectives, level of threat, and the likelihood of any physical attacks.

Police have said that they are closely monitoring the activities of organizations, individuals and businessmen close to China, and journalists affiliated with Chinese institutions. The security personnel has smelt rat in the activities of pro-China individuals and organizations of late.

According to political analyst Debesh Jha, leftist leaders, intellectuals and organizations close to China have been protesting the MCC with the belief that the government would be reluctant to tabled it in the parliament.

“What has to be understood is that the MCC has not been imposed but was granted as per our government’s gesture,” he added.

However, the sudden debates and protests about the agreement indicate that people close to China are behind such protests, he argued.

“The gravity of the protests has raised suspicion of China’s involvement in the anti-MCC narratives,” Jha added.

He further said that he is well aware of the fact that China has diplomatically opposed the MCC raising various security issues, and in China’s view, the MCC is a threat.

“Circumstances have shown that China is behind the protests against MCC,” Jha said adding that China has been waging a proxy war against the US in the name of MCC.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the Chinese had been increasingly active in the MCC debate in recent days and that the Chinese have had hands in the anti-MCC campaigns.

The official said that it was obvious for a democratic country to undergo debates and protests on any issue, but inciting protests by a third country would pose a direct security threat to this country. “We are also discussing to take such protesters under control,” he added.

Surprisingly, several officials whom Khabarhub contacted for their views on MCC, preferred to remain anonymous due to the contemptuous publicity about the US grant and direct security threats.

Former Brigadier General of the Nepal Army Bijendra Gautam, meanwhile, said that the United States has been selflessly providing assistance to Nepal for quite a long time, and the same holds with the MCC since it is more of a development plan rather than political. He says the MCC is not a security strategy.

“This development project has come in line with Nepal’s demands. There is no justification to oppose it now. Since Nepal needs support and assistance, it should accept it and that protests and suspicions should have no rooms,” he added.

As the threats of physical attacks on US projects and US citizens have increased of late, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on September 5, warning that those involved in such activities would be brought to book.

Says Binoj Basnyat, Maj. Gen. (Retd), and a Strategic Analyst, South Asian Affairs, “Nepal and the US have been in collaboration to reduce poverty with development efforts, and the project of MCC is one of them.”

He added that the cooperation with the only global power will, in fact, assist our efforts to enhance foreign policy and abet national security.

More recently, those who have been insisting on better relations with the United States, including those who have spoken out on the positive side of the MCC, have been publicly accused of embezzling funds, and are humiliated, accused, threatened, defamed, and even harassed.

Such attempts have been considered to be a malicious intent to thwart the MCC’s positive aspects, disseminating rumors, increasing security risks to the American nationals, preventing foreign investment, and jeopardizing Nepal’s friendly relations with the United States.

Analysts say such activities are motivated by a longing to discredit the United States, spread a negative message about the lack of investment climate in Nepal to the international community, manipulate relations with the United States and prevent Nepal from developing and thriving.

Security experts, meanwhile, are concerned about the threats of possible physical attacks on the US nationals in Nepal and the provocation against the MCC project on various social media.

Merely dancing to the tunes of foreign powers, and following the footsteps of Cuba, Venezuela or North Korea is not in the interest of any country.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a security expert said, “The United States does not get threatened by violence, intimidation or terror as it is a leading superpower in global security and non-violence against such activities.”

According to him, if there is any physical attack on the Americans, it will retaliate. And, if the Nepalese security forces fail to protect the American citizens, diplomats, the project and its legitimate interests in Nepal, and if there is an attack, it will be unfortunate for Nepal and its people.

He added, “I am surprised why some elements in Nepal are hell-bent on abusing the United States, which is Nepal’s largest donor.”

Meanwhile, he said that the United States is Nepal’s largest market and is still the second-largest export market. As the largest donor, the United States wants to see Nepal secure, sovereign, democratic, stable, and prosperous.

Merely dancing to the tunes of foreign powers, and following the footsteps of Cuba, Venezuela or North Korea is not in the interest of any country.

However, the spokesperson of Nepal Police, Basanta Bahadur Kunwar said that since the issue has to be addressed at the political level, he does not have anything to comment about the implementation.

“Nepal Police is cautious about the ongoing protests and activities that are detrimental to the people,” he told Khabarhub adding, “We are keenly watching the activities and the campaigns on social media. Therefore, we will leave no stone unturned to maintain social, law and order.”

He, however, said they have not come across any untoward incidence that is detrimental to the country’s security.