The new development in the peace process, which began with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on November 21, 2006, has provided a cause to be happy not only to Peace Ministry, United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and other UN agencies but also to all Nepalis who have been waiting endlessly to see a stable and peaceful Nepal.
It is obvious that the political developments in the coming days will determine the fate of the discharge and rehabilitation process.
Needless to say, the resumption was a result of the combined effort of different stakeholders of the peace process. Peace Ministry, UNMIN and other UN agencies worked tirelessly for almost three months – since July 17 when the process was first begun but was stalled on the same day following non-cooperation from the Maoist side –
to bring this process back on track.
This time, the ever growing and persistent pressure of the international community seems to have worked to make the Maoists more committed to the discharge and rehabilitation of 4,008 combatants disqualified by UNMIN during its verification in 2007. The commitment expressed to the process by Deputy Commander of Maoist Army Chandra Prasad Khanal alias Baldev and commander of the Dudhauli cantonment Shuka Bahadur Roka alias Sarad while addressing their combatants at Dudhauli on Sunday suggest that there are high prospects the process would be successful this time.
But the discharge and the rehabilitation works still need to be handled with care as there is also a possibility of the process getting stalled for the second time.
It is obvious that the political developments in the coming days will determine the fate of the discharge and rehabilitation of the combatants. It is noteworthy that this process was stalled at the Shaktikhor cantonment in July soon after the process was begun due to the unfriendly relations between the government and the Maoists who had launched nationwide protests against the new government that was formed after the fall of their government in May.
At present, the parties are working to bridge their differences. Any failure on this front is sure to affect the ongoing progress in the cantonments. If the parties succeed in discarding their differences and petty political interests, the works at the cantonments will be much easier. So, the discharge and rehabilitation of the disqualified, comprising of minors and late recruits, will largely depend on how politics unfolds at the center in the days ahead.
Commander Roka and the disqualified combatants whom this scribe interacted on Sunday at the cantonment site were more concerned over the future of the disqualified who are required to leave their respective cantonments from Nov 5 onward. They were of the opinion that their contribution to overthrow monarchy and establish republic should be rewarded by ensuring their future once they leave the cantonment. A commander at the cantonment told this scribe that the success of the process lies in the kind of rehabilitation package that will be offered to the disqualified. The ineligible combatants are likely not to leave the cantonments if they are not convinced of a secure life. And such a move will also, in all likelihood, be supported by their party.
The disqualified combatants at Dudhauli clearly said that they are not ready to leave the cantonment if they are not offered satisfactory and dignified rehabilitation packages. In fact, following an interaction with five combatants, I got the impression that they are desperate to leave the cantonment at the earliest possible provided their demands are met. Their primary concerns were securing jobs and education so that they would be able to support their family.
The Peace Ministry, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA, who are currently working together on developing the rehabilitation programs should focus on designing such a package that combatants happily accept. Such a rehabilitation program should not only reflect the aspirations of the combatants but also ensure that they would not pose threat to peace and stability following their rehabilitation.
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