Army chief Gurung rejects 'bulk integration' of Maoist combatants

Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung has made it clear that it will be difficult to integrate "politically indoctrinated" Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army in bulk.

Army chief Gurung said this during his meeting with the visiting UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs B Lynn Pascoe.

During the meeting held at Nepal Army (NA) Headquarters Friday afternoon, Pascoe had asked CoAS Gurung as to how many combatants of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) can be integrated into the Nepal Army (NA).

According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of the NA, Gurung said the Maoist combatants who come on an individual basis and meet the criteria for recruitment can be a part of the national army.

Gurung however told Pascoe that Maoists combatants are "politically indoctrinated" and it will be difficult to integrate them into the "disciplined, professional, competitive and apolitical" Nepal Army. He warned that not only will the group entry of those Maoist combatants break up the organizational unity of the national army, but it will cause "politicization" of the army that could possibly even lead to disintegration of the country.

The statement further said that the Army chief also reminded Pascoe about the controversial Shaktikhor cantonment video tape released last year in which Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal admitted that real strength of the Maoist combatants was only 7,000 which was later increased to 19,602 during the verification conducted by UNMIN.

He said each combatant should be asked whether they really want to be integrated into security agencies or would like some other options available to them in an environment where they don't feel any kind of fear, threat or pressure.

He said those not showing interest to be a part of security agencies could be rehabilitated into the society with economic package and can be given opportunity to go abroad for job, enhance their vocational skills or pursue further education.

Gurung also said those who wish to serve in security forces could be given opportunity in Nepal Police, National Investigation Department, Armed Police Force, or be sent to border security force, industrial security, forest security, among others.

During the meeting, Pascoe praised the long contribution of Nepal Army in the international peace keeping missions. nepalnews.com