Only four of the total 75 former combatants who took part in the performance test were deemed ineligible, according to the secretariat of the Special Committee formed to oversee integration and rehabilitation of the former Maoist combatants.[break]
One combatant each from the second division cantonment in Sindhuli, third division cantonment in Chitwan, fourth division cantonment in Nawalparasi and sixth division cantonment in Surkhet failed the test, according to the secretariat.
Although the performance test was conducted a week ago, the secretariat had delayed the results after former combatants warned of protests if many of them were disqualified before the medical test. They issued the warning after rumors that over a dozen former combatants would be disqualified in the performance test did the rounds.
According to Balananda Sharma, coordinator of the secretariat, the medical test of former combatants who passed the performance test will be completed by Thursday. Sharma said only those combatants who have yet to recover from injuries sustained during the conflict will be disqualified in the medical test.
"The final list of former combatants qualified as NA officers will be published by October 7," Sharma said.
Those combatants who qualify to join the NA as officers will have to reach Nagarkot by November 21 for a nine-month military training. They will also have to participate in a three-month bridge course after completing the military training.
Earlier, altogether 1,388 former Maoist combatants had joined the NA as soldiers by passing a series of tests. They will also join the military training, which will be conducted in seven different places, from November 21. They are now spending a 45-day-long holiday.
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