The government and the Maoists, however, are yet to agree on the modality of integration and rehabilitation. In this context, Republica talked to some PLA commanders to express their views on the issue.[break]
Birendra Buda, acting commander at the 7th Division, says the PLA would not join the security forces in a humiliating manner. “We fought for socio-political change, national sovereignty and development of the country -- not just for a job,” says Buda, adding that the PLA should be integrated into the security forces with due respect.
He is of the view that the role of the PLA in Nepali politics is not yet over as the country is yet to institutionalize the recent political achievements -- secularism, federalism and republicanism. “We will happily go back home empty-handed if they can assure us that the political changes will be institutionalized,” he says.
Agrees Ram Lal Roka Magar, the vice-commander at the 5th Division. “The government has not yet accepted us as its own; it humiliating for us,” Magar argues. Magar says, the PLA should be treated on par with the Nepal Army (NA). “I totally disagree with the integration process if we are treated as an unwanted force,” he says. He says the integration would not be a problem once the government changes its mindset.
Udaya Bahadur Chalaune, another Vice-commander from the 3rd Division, also states that the government should treat the PLA on par with the NA. "We should be treated on equal footing in keeping with the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” he says. Whether the PLA should be integrated into the NA or the Police is only a secondary thing.
Rehabilitation Package
The commanders say rehabilitation packages are secondary thing for them. Some even claim that such packages are honey-trap for the PLA that was formed to complete the “revolution”.
“It is like candies distributed among the children. If we accept the packages, and ignore the revolutionary goals, it will be a betrayal to the people,” says Ram Lal, vice-commander. “We don´t know what to tell the families of the martyrs if we return home with some money. No amount of money will compensate the injured, the martyrs and those who spilled their blood,” he adds.
Suk Bahadur Roka Magar, commander at the 2nd division, says the government must offer rehabilitation packages to the injured and disabled members of the PLA. He says the government should provide education and employment to them. He argues that the combatants can be mobilized to develop infrastructure, besides employing them as security guards.
Yam Bahadur Adhikari, commander at the 1st division, says that the government should ensure the future of the combatants if they are not given rehabilitation packages.
Commander Adhikari says the government can offer the combatants jobs in schools, bureaucracy and also send them abroad for employment. "Those who want to lead normal life should be given a golden handshake," he says.
Vice-commander Chalaune says the government should give some amount to the combatants and send them home with due respect. “They should be given certain amount of money as reward for their contribution,” he said. Roka Magar is of the opinion that the government should facilitate the rehabilitation of the combatants in the society. "What will we do with money alone if the society doesn´t accept us?” he says.
Commanders say that if the combatants don´t return home happily, it will pose danger to the society.
Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, a commander at sixth division, says that the government should recognize their contribution for the new Nepal and honor them, otherwise they could fall in the hands of other groups and that will lead to anarchy. “The government should not forget that the combatants know how to fight and how to use weapons,” he says.
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