Combatants from different cantonments in Rolpa and Dang told Republica that they have seen groupism between those opting for integration and those for voluntary retirement following the completion of the categorization three weeks ago. [break]
The combatants said the delay has posed challenges in maintaining discipline and chain of command in the cantonments. The combatants who have opted for retirement have grown indifferent toward their military life inside the cantonments and have started declining responsibilities. Such combatants have also stopped wearing military uniform, saying they are going to give up military life once and for all.
“They [those opting for voluntary retirement] do not participate in regular exercise. Nor do they carry out assigned duties, saying they would retire soon,” said Bikash Malla, a combatant at the Fifth Division in Rolpa, “They sleep until 8 am.” Though the categorization was completed almost three weeks ago, the process of integration and voluntary retirement is yet to start. The internal conflict within the UCPN (Maoist) has been blamed for the delay though Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have pressed the Maoists to start both the process as soon as possible.
The Special Committee meeting, which is supposed to take a decision on the matter, has not met since last Friday though it was to be convened Sunday.
In addition, the combatants opting for integration despise those who are going to take voluntary retirement, according to combatants who have chosen voluntary retirement.
“They despise us,” said vice commander Ram Lal Roka Pun, who has opted for retirement. “They call us cowards.”
According to Pun, those opting for voluntary retirement are in touch with their commanders in other cantonments to form an alliance and chart out their future move.
Pun said in some cantonments the combatants opting for integration and voluntary retirement have been kept separately.
Combatants from both the categories said they are holding consultations to exert pressure on the Maoist leadership to immediately begin the process of integration and voluntary retirement.
“We are holding discussions to demand an end to our cantoned life immediately. We are desperately waiting to bid farewell but we have been confined in the cantonments due to indecision,” Malla said.
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