UCPN (M)'s closed door debate halted after ex PLA members' protest over fund misuse

The closed door discussion in the ongoing central plenum of the UCPN (Maoist) at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, was adjourned Wednesday afternoon due to the sit-in by former combatants, demanding investigation into the alleged misappropriation of the funds meant for them, along with other demands.

Nearly thousand former People's Liberation Army (PLA) members attending the plenum refused to continue the debate on party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's political paper saying that the party leadership should first address their demands. According to them, huge amount of money including the monthly levy of Rs 1000 per combatant was misused over the years.

They have also demanded that the party promote the former combatants from their current posts in the party and come up with a concrete plan to mobilise them and to end factional politics.

"We have as many as 16 demands," a former combatant said, "The former PLA members are being neglected. Their representation in the plenum is also minimal."

Dispute started after some former combatants from Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan raised the issue of funds misuse during the group discussion on Dahal's document.

Dahal assured the disgruntled ex PLA men that their demands would be addressed by 11 am on Thursday after consultation with the central committee members. nepalnews.com