PLA commanders forwarded their conditions to their deputy commanders who have been touring different cantonments to prepare PLA members for the much-awaited process of integration and rehabilitation of over 19,000 ex-Maoist army personnel.[break]
“They asked us about the modality of their integration and rehabilitation and sought credible assurances about the writing of a new constitution that will reflect their aspirations for change, including a guarantee on state restructuring,” Janardan Sharma, a member on the Special Committee who visited the cantonments to brief combatants about recent developments concerning management of ex-Maoist fighters, told Republica Tuesday.
All PLA deputy commanders have been touring major cantonments to brief commanders about the September 16 decision of the Special Committee to in principle dissociate the PLA from the Maoist party. PLA members have also been apprised of the code of conduct finalized for them by the Special Committee and feedback solicited on the proposed integration and rehabilitation.
The Technical Committee is currently discussing the modality of integration. But discussions are far from headed for consensus. Sharma said this question should be decided politically.
Sharma, a former peace and reconstruction minister, said the PLA are very concerned over the stalled constitution-drafting process and want to see the parties agree on key contentious issues.
“They told us it will not be acceptable for them to see the peace process completed by the agreed deadline [basically January 14] with constitution writing remaining unfinished. They want to see both processes progress side by side,” Sharma further said when asked about PLA concerns.
Sharma, sharing the PLA’s sentiments, said the peace process is likely to hit deadlock if PLA members are not assured of a new constitution getting drafted.
“If constitution drafting does not progress, neither will the peace process,” Sharma said about feedback from the PLA.
Asked whether this was the party strategy, he added, “Isn’t it a natural thing?”
On the rehabilitation package, Sharma said combatants are suspicious that the fate of disqualified combatants will be repeated and want to know about the package before their management commences. Disqualified combatants were returned home early this year despite their reservations over the rehabilitation packages. “Unless we satisfy their questions relating to such packages, it will create hurdles,” Sharma warned.
Asked about the kind of rehabilitation package his party preferred, Sharma said, “Such a package should honor the contribution of the PLA, besides guaranteeing their future.”
Sharma said his party is flexible over any of the three modalities of integration. The models include: forming a new army of an agreed size including members from the PLA; constituting a new force comprising equal numbers from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the PLA; and having a separate security force of PLA members.
“Any of the modalities will be acceptable to us,” said Sharma, who left Kathmandu to visit cantonments in Nawalparasi Wednesday.
To another question, Sharma said the proposed secretariat for overseeing integration and rehabilitate will get final shape when the Special Committee convenes on Friday. He said his party has claimed leadership of the secretariat and is nominating Nanda Kishor Pun as PLA representative for the purpose. He added that his party has differences with the government over the choice of head of the 12-member secretariat.
“If our choice is given to head the secretariat, it will help move the process smoothly since it is a matter related to the psychology of PLA members,” he said, justifying his party’s claim to the secretariat leadership.
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