NA officials say the existing infrastructure and training centers are not sufficient to accommodate such a large number of combatants -- 6,500 is the agreed number -- who are to undergo rigorous training to become part of the national army.[break]
“We couldn´t accommodate all 6,500 combatants at any of our training centers. So the government must make some arrangements soon,” said a senior NA official who did not want to be named.
The official said that the NA is planning to float a proposal asking the government to create training centers in the various regions.
“We are mulling the option of opening regional level training centers and barracks,” said the source. NA officials say they are against training them in the cantonments or around places that may have a psychological impact on the combatants. “We will make sure that we won´t train the combatants in areas that might hurt their sentiments.”
Of the largest training centers that the NA has at its disposal, the Military Academy at Kharipati can accommodate some 400, the Recruit Training Center at Trishuli can accommodate over 1,000 and the Integrated Training Center at Saljhandi, Rupendehi, over 1,000 also.
According to sources, the NA is also working out bridge courses for combatants who qualify for the NA.
“Initially, the combatants have to undergo bridge courses of up to six weeks. The course is meant to orient the combatants about the operations of the army,” disclosed a source.
After that, combatants wanting to become army personnel below officer level will have to undergo a nine-month basic course, while those becoming officers have a two-year training ahead of them.
However, personnel joining the directorate from the Armed Police Force (APF) and Nepal Police are not required to undergo the basic and bridge courses.
As per existing provisions, a lieutenant who has undergone the basic courses has to complete a five-month Young Officers Training to get promoted to captain.
Similarly, a captain needs to have at least six years of service with a four-month Company Commander in Staff College (CCSC) course to get promoted to major.
Similarly, a major needs to have at least 10 years of service and two years at the Command and Staff College (CSC) to get promoted to lieutenant colonel. A serviceman needs to put in at least 21 years of service along with the CSC and four-month Senior Command courses to become a brigadier.
The recently inked seven-point deal states that combatants will be integrated as per the existing standard norms of the security agencies.
“There won´t be any kind of unnecessary bullying of the Maoist combatants on the pretext of training,” another source stated.
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