Integration hits a snag as ex-combatants oppose selection standards

The integration of the former Maoist army combatants, which started from Wednesday, has come to a halt with the combatants opposing the standards set by the NA, complaining that the process is being carried out as a regular recruitment rather than "respectful integration".

Registration of ex-combatants for the integration has been obstructed in the main cantonment sites (MCS) in Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Sindhuli and Surkhet, where the selection process had started yesterday, while the process has not yet started at the MCS in Rolpa and Ilam.

The combatants at the 3rd division at Shaktikhor in Chitwan staged dharna (sit-in) today, demanding new selection standards, payment of the money provided to those choosing voluntary retirement in a single installment and changes in the existing criteria in terms of age and educational qualification.

The protesting ex-combatants have said they would not allow the integration works to continue until their demands are met. The ex-combatants have also refused to allow the selection process in other cantonments, placing the same demands. nepalnews.com