“We could not acquire citizenship certificate as we were busy fighting the state forces during the Maoist´s people´s war,” said Ranjit Rai, a former combatant. “I will not be able to cast my votes as I am not registered on the electoral roll.” He claimed that hundreds of other combatants also could not register on the electoral roll. He said his son, who is a 12th grader, also does not have a citizenship certificate. [break]
Rai said neither the government not the UCPN (Maoist) has paid any attention toward their problem. “My son had secured 85 per cent in SLC but he does not have citizenship certificate. I am worried about his future.”
Rai is carpenter by profession. “My dream of casting my vote went in vein as I don´t have a citizenship certificate,” said Rai. Rai entered in Kathmandu at the age of seven. He said he was born in Ilam but is not aware about his parents.
Rai said his life has not changed even after quitting the UCPN (Maoist). Rai then went to add that he was not interested in earning money by any deceitful means. “Despite my meager income, my family members are happy. But they worry as I do not have citizenship.”
Rai had taken voluntary retirement from the People´s Liberation Army.
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