Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Sunday expressed commitment to implement the decision of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) -- to evacuate the Maoist combatants from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments and hand over the weapons stored in containers to Nepal Army by April 12 -- under any circumstances.

PM Bhattarai made this commitment during a meeting of the Special Committee (which is responsible for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants) held at its office in New Baneshwor this afternoon.

After NC and UML representatives expressed doubt over the implementation of the AISC decision, the prime minister, who also heads the AISC, assured that necessary preparations are being made to vacate the cantonments and complete integration work by April 12.

PM Bhattarai said that the Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force have already been given the responsibility to oversee the security of the Maoist cantonments after the evacuation of the Maoist combatants.

The responsibility of overseeing security of cantonments in Rolpa, Chitwan and Morang districts has been given to the Armed Police Force and the remaining to Nepal Army, it was informed at the meeting. Nepalnews.com