Number of combatants choosing voluntary retirement continues to increase

The second round of regrouping conducted by the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) has concluded at all the seven divisions except Kailali on Tuesday.

Altogether 5,800 of the 9,705 former Maoist combatants who had initially opted for integration into Nepal Army chose voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) during the second round of regrouping that started at all the PLA divisions on April 8.

As of Tuesday, 3,905 former combatants seem to be willing to join NA. There are 6,500 opening for former Maoist combatants in the national army as set by the seven-point agreement signed by the parties on November 1.

Although 9,705 Maoist combatants in all the PLA divisions had opted for integration in the first phase of regrouping, majority of them have opted for voluntary retirement in the second round of regrouping due to problem seen in rank determination, selection committee, period and nature of bridging course for new Maoist recruits that is sure to complicate and lengthen the integration process. nepalnews.com