Altogether 1,352 former rebel combatants, who had opted to join the Nepal Army as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed by the then rebel Maoists and the government in 2006 to pave the way for the former to join peaceful politics, completed a nine-month basic army training on Friday to formally become part of the national army. [break]
As per the Secretariat of the Army Integration Special Committee, 71 combatants for officer level and 1,373 for other ranks were finally selected for training. However, 21 combatants could not complete the training due to various reasons.
Other than the former combatants inducted at officer level, 1,352 combatants integrated into the lower ranks in the army have completed basic training and received formal permission to join the army. Army officers from the training centers concerned conferred insignias on the trainees.
According to a statement issued by NA´s Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), 16 of the combatants initially selected for integration took voluntary retirement before training started while 14 others retired voluntarily in the course of the training, and 3 were found medically unfit. Five others fled the training camp.
"The training will play an important role in establishing the integrated combatants as able, disciplined and professional army personnel," the DPR statement said. The combatants, who had long espoused communist ideology and fought the NA, took the oath saying "We are all Nepali .... the Nepal Army is for all Nepalis."
Meanwhile, 70 combatants inducted into the NA at officer level are undergoing training at Kharipati in Kathmandu. Their training is due to be completed in the next two months.
The nine-month basic army training for those integrated at lower ranks was held at seven different basic training centers at Letang in Morang, Hile in Dhankuta, Trishuli in Nuwakot, Khairahanitar in Tanahu, Saljhandi in Kapilvastu, Kohalur in Banke and Dhangadi in Kailali.
"They completed their camp training and now have to take a three-month additional bridge course after a 15-day vacation starting today," said NA Brigadier Suresh Raj Sharma. However, Sharma added that those inducted into the infantry would remain at the recently established General Directorate for further training.
According to Sharma, 14 First Class Warrant Officers, 40 Second Class Warrant Officers, 168 Sergeants, 190 Corporals, 181 Lance Corporals and 759 Privates passed out from basic training.
"The former combatants are found to have completed the basic army training fair and square," said Balananda Sharma, coordinator of the Secretariat, who was among other officials from the Committee to reached Nepalganj to attend the Integration Basic Pass Out Parade for former rebel combatants.
Army Integration Special Committee members have reached the training centers to bid the pass-outs farewell before their 15-day home leave. "CPN-UML leader Ishwor Pokharel attended the parade at Trishuli while army officers bid farewell to the pass-outs at the other training centers," said Pandit.
The pass-outs will be posted at different directorates under the newly established NA General Directorate once they complete their leave.
Initially, they will be posted at the National Development Directorate based in Chitwan. The DPR also informed that the process for establishment of more directorates--Disaster Management Directorate and Forest and Ecology Security Doctorates-- has been initiated in Chitwan.
As per the CPA, the new General Directorate would include 65 percent personnel from NA and 35 percent from among the former combatants inducted into the army. The Nepal Army has already created 4,417 new posts for the purpose.
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