With the integration of ex Maoist army combatants coming to a halt following protests by the combatants against the selection standards of the Nepal Army, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai Saturday said that the integration process would be carried out in a respectful manner.

Talking to a group of Maoist cadres who met him in Baluwatar to draw his attention to the complaints made by the protesting combatants, PM Bhattarai said he was in "serious consultation" with the concerned sides on the problems in the ongoing process and that the integration would be conducted in a respectful manner, a press note issued by the PM's secretariat stated.

He also said that progressive forces should remain alert over the activities of reactionaries in the current transitional period.

The Maoist cadres met him a day after the ex combatants obstructed the integration process, opposing the selection standards including age. nepalnews.com