They demanded an appropriate role for themselves through completion of the integration and rehabilitation process. They also expressed dissatisfaction over the Maoist leadership, stating that the party has been keeping them in the dark.[break]
“We have been living as prisoners for the last five year. We can´t live like this. So, we have started to discuss about alternatives if the task of integration and rehabilitation does not get concluded,” said Battalion Commander Tanka Timsena at the Talbanda Seventh Battalion.
He said that the party leadership must be clear about their stance on ex-combatants. “We need some role. The party must be clear if we should revolt again, if not they should conclude the task of integration and rehabilitation,” added Timsena.
The ex-combatants said that they were losing hope as there was no progress in the integration and rehabilitation process so far.
“We have come from a war background. Even in the battlefiled a way is managed for escape but we are surrounded from all sides,” stated Timsena.
Another battalion commander, Naresh Mahara, accused the political parties of not being interested in resolving the issue of integration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants.
Similarly, Assistant Comander Hikmat Malla warned the political parties not to consider their patience as a weakness.
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