The members of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) have made claims and counterclaims on the proposal of the Nepal Army on integration of the Maoist combatants, blaming each other of trying to drag the army into controversy.

Maoist military in-charge and Finance Minister Barshaman Pun, who is also a member of the AISC, has said the NA came up with the proposal based on the understanding between the parties while AISC members from the Nepali Congress and the UML have described the proposal as 'unilateral'.

"The NA's proposal does not run counter to the seven-point agreement between the parties. The NC and the UML are now creating dispute even as they were also involved while giving direction to the NA [to prepare the integration action plan]," Pun said while speaking at the Reporters Club Monday.

He added, "The UCPN (Maoist) knows the consequences of creating dispute over the army. The UCPN (Maosit), the government and the NA are all ready to carry out the integration of the combatants."

Speaking at the same programme, AISC member from the Nepali Congress Ram Saran Mahat said the government brought out the army's proposal by discussing it in the Maoist party where it should have been discussed in the Special Committee.

"It's clear that the Maoists are trying to play into the army," Mahat said, "Publicising the proposal without discussion only harms the prestige of the army."

Similarly, AISC member from the UML and former Home Minister Bhim Rawal claimed that the proposal was made public by the Prime Minister himself and that a proposal brought out without discussion in the Special Committee would not be acceptable to his party. nepalnews.com