PLA recruitment not a good sign for peace process: UML chairman

As the fresh recruitment being conducted by the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues to draw criticism from different parties, chairman of CPN (UML), a ruling ally, Jhala Nath Khanal, has said the PLA's move would only complicate the peace process.

Speaking to reporters after a programme in the capital Wednesday, Khanal said the PLA recruitment runs counter to the comprehensive peace process (CPA) and that it would even jeopardise the peace process.

Khanal also urged the Maoists to stop the recruitment process right away and remain faithful to the recent agreement among the ruling parties regarding the recruitments by Nepal Army.

The UML chairman's reaction came as the PLA went ahead with the recruitment process despite Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's assurance to Nepali Congress leaders yesterday that he would stop the recruitment process.

The PLA has said it has opened new recruitments in response to the similar drive of the NA and that the recruitment process would not stop unless the NA does the same. nepalnews.com mk Mar 04 09