The chain-of-command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the UCPN (Maoist) was transferred to army integration Special Committee (AISC) amid a grand ceremony at Shaktikhor, Chitwan on Saturday (22 January). Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews asked some of the delegates at the function for their views on the handover of the PLA command:
This is a special event of the peace process and it marks the start of integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. I cannot comment on the transfer of their chain of command as this can be judged on the basis of their future activities.
Ram Chandra Poudel, Parliamentary Party leader, Nepali Congress
As a member of the AISC, I have felt that more responsibilities have been added from today. I have taken this an achievement as well as a challenge.
Balananda Sharma, Coordinator, AISC Secretariat
The day is one of the most important and historic event and it must be taken as a basis for political negotiation considering the crisis of trust among the parties. This day marks the transfer of Maoist combatants' chain of command to the
AISC.
Barsaman Pun, UCPN (M) leader and AISC member
The event is an important step in making the ongoing peace process move towards its completion. However, the implementation part is crucial. This is the beginning of integration and rehabilitation of the combatants.
KP Sharma Oli, senior leader, CPN-UML
I have taken this event as separation of PLA members from their party. As their command has been handed over to AISC, the combatants are no more the army of UCPN (Maoist).
Uprendra Yadav, chairman, MJF-Nepal
This handover ceremony has erased an illusion that the ongoing peace process in Nepal would be derailed after the departure of UNMIN. Though late, this is a major achievement of the peace process.
