Maoist, NC leaders give opposite views on army integration
A senior commander of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) has warned
of further conflict in the country if the parties fail to merge the two
armies - Nepal Army and PLA - as per the peace accord.
Speaking at an interaction programme in the capital Wednesday, deputy
commander of the PLA Nanda Kishor Pun 'Pasang' said the process of
integration between the two forces would begin within three months and
complete in six months. The peace process will not be successful if the
two armies are not integrated, he said.
However, Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat strongly opposed the
idea of merger of PLA into Nepal Army saying it would politicise the
national army. He threatened that his party would take to streets if the
two forces were merged. He claimed the merger of politically indoctrinated
militants into the national army is against the prevailing military ethics
and practices.
Retired army General C. B. Gurung said serious debate and concrete
security policy are required before taking any decision on the future of
two armies since the issue is a sensitive one, which is linked with
national security.
Another retired Nepal Army General Gopal Singh Bohara suggested leaders to
look for alternatives than to merge PLA into national army. However,
security expert Indrajit Rai, who is a constituent assembly member
representing CPN (Maoist), said there is no alternative to merging two
armies if Nepal needs lasting peace. nepalnews.com ia Sept 03 08
