Pun is regarded as close to Chairman Dahal. However, sources claim Pun is not happy with Dahal for not giving him any major role in the party. Pun shared his views on the PLA in an interview to Republica´s Kiran Pun.[break]
Why did you boycott the CC meeting? Why are you dissatisfied with the leadership?
I did not boycott the meeting; it is just a rumor. I told Chairman Dahal that I would not attend the meeting that day because I had to visit a patient who was to undergo a surgery. But media blew up the issue up.
You became the PLA chief after Barsman Pun and Janardan Sharma were elected to the Constituent Assembly (CA) and after Chairman Dahal formally gave up his position as the supreme commander. It is said that you are dissatisfied with the chairman because you were not given the right to exercise power as the PLA chief.
It is also not true. After the chairman became the prime minister, the Standing Committee decided that he had to formally give up his military position and I was made the PLA chief. As its chief, I have the PLA chain of command in my hand. But the chairman is still, in principal, the supreme commander.
But it is rumored that you were not given the right to exercise full power in the PLA, and as a reaction you abruptly left Kathmandu last year.
After the peace process, PLA´s role has changed. PLA comrades are in the cantonments. It is now committed to the peace process. It is wrong to say that I left for Rolpa abruptly after being dissatisfied with the PLA.
It is said that another reason for your dissatisfaction is that the PLA was also divided into three factions. Is this true?
It was natural for the PLA members to discuss the officially registered three separate political documents. But we stated that discussing them in the military is different from discussing them among the party cadres. The military functions in a special way; the PLA is armed, and it functions through the chain of command. So it would be dangerous to hold discussions in the PLA camps. There was much debate on the issue in the party. However, after the Palungtar plenum, the debate is over.
Is it true that you are dissatisfied with the party leadership as you did not get important position in the party after it entered the peace process?
The media should have raised the issues positively. I would have welcomed it. But issues are raised as if I had serious differences with the party leadership.
You met the chairman to furnish clarification about the media reports. What did you say in your clarification?
No, it is not true that I met the chairman to furnish clarification. Rather, we discussed the existing complex political situation in the country. He asked me to remain alert and be careful as the politics has become more complex. He further told me that as the largest political party, we have to be careful and play a responsible role and informed me that the party is holding discussion on the extension of United Nations Mission in Nepal’s (UNMIN’s) term.
How do you see the peace process in Nepal without UNMIN?
Our party has sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting an extension of the UNMIN’s term till May 28. We need it to conclude the peace proves and institutionalize the political achievements made so far.
In your view, what will be UNMIN’s alternative?
The parties are yet to agree on an alternative to the UNMIN as well as technicalities and procedures. The parties should forge an understanding. The UNMIN should handover the job to such a mechanism before it leaves.
In your opinion, what should be the model of such a mechanism?
We don’t have any particular model. But it should be workable and reliable. It may comprise the PLA and Nepal Army (NA) and even include ex-British Gurkha soldiers. We had such a mechanism during the PLA verification process. The modality will depend on the political understanding, however. For now, what we are saying is that the UNMIN must remain in Nepal till the peace process completes.
What will be future of PLA if the peace process is not completed after the UNMIN leaves?
That’s why we have stated that the political parties should agree on UNMIN’s term extension till the completion of the peace process. The Nepali Congress and other parties are saying that NA should not be monitored. The government is also demanding the handover of our weapons. If we keep one of the parties out of the peace agreement, what will follow next? It means conflict. The government is hell-bent on steering the peace process off track. So a reliable mechanism as an alternative to UNMIN should be developed. The government has stated that the cantonments should be brought under the monitoring of the Special Committee. We are holding discussions to chart a course.
Why are you opposed to the monitoring by the Special Committee?
Articles 146 and 147 of the interim constitution have made provisions for UNMIN and the Agreement on the Management of Arms and Armed Personnel. So, when UNMIN leaves, the peace process is automatically dissolved. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a separate mechanism which can be formed through a political consensus.
Why are you objecting to come under the Special Committee?
First of all, the government has to accept that PLA is also a part of the government force after the peace agreement. What has the government given us, besides nominal salaries? We are still treated as an enemy force. They have underestimated our contribution for the establishment of republic.
So, first of all, the government has to accept us as its own force. Then only we will think that government is our guardian. So it is not only about the Special Committee.
What is your army integration model?
We have already put forward some options. The first option is that we can integrate both armies and downsize them by giving the soldiers lucrative offers for retirement. The second option is that we can form a new force of PLA and mobilize them for industrial, or border security or highway security. The third option is that we can form a separate force by inducting members from NA, PLA, Civil Police and Armed Police Force. This new force can be assigned any task the state deems fit. And yet another option is that we can integrate PLA into other security forces including NA unit-wise till both parties feel comfortable with each other. Such a model will remove suspicions among other political parties that the PLA will be politically active even after the integration.
What types of packages do you demand for the rehabilitation of the combatants?
We are saying that those injured, maimed or disabled who cannot join the forces should be returned home happily. Money alone doesn’t count. The government should honor them as fighters who contributed for the establishment of republic in Nepal. The government may give them certificates or medals, besides cash incentives, in honor of their contribution.
And, the government should offer economic package to those who want to return home and settle. We call it a golden “handshake”. The government should give them cash incentives and pensions. It should also compensate those whose houses were destroyed by the security forces during the insurgency. They need education, health and employment. They have to get such amenities throughout life.
How much do you think the government should give them?
It is still under discussion. But, we think it should be around Rs 2 million to Rs 2.5 million.
What will you do if the government turns down your demand?
It will pose a serious danger to the society. As they are militarily trained, they could be misused by other underground forces. Then the government has to take the responsibility for what transpires.
*Corrected
Related story
NC leader Koirala and then UNMIN Chief Ian Martin hold meeting
-1778309205.webp)
