PLA spokesperson advocates on PLAs plights

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: Spokesperson of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chandra Prakash Khanal, aka, 'Baldev' has alleged November 1 Peace Deal an ambiguous pact, for it has failed to cite what is to be done with the 3,200 PLA combatants, who have also wished to be integrated into the Nepal Army(NA).

Though the Maoist and the non-Maoist actors had inked the agreement to integrate 6,500 PLAs, the survey carried out by the Special Committee for integration, rehabilitation and supervision of Maoist combatants later on showed that over 9,000 combatants are opting for the integration.

“Unless the 3,200 PLA combatants opting for integration are bestowed with additional compensation and financial packages, other combatants who have chosen voluntary retirement would not be bidden farewell,” told Khanal at an interaction programme organised by the Reporters Club in the Capital on Sunday.

“Those 3,200 combatants who have already chosen integration package could not be asked to choose the package of voluntary retirement,” added Baldev.

At the same occasion, Baldev also proposed that either the 3,200 combatants should be provided with additional financial package and compensation or they should be integrated in the security bodies.

He also opined that the bridge course which will be imparted to the PLA combatants, should be acceptable for both, the Nepal Army and the PLA combatants.

Having said that the peace process was delayed as the leaders who earlier agreed on the presidential governance system have started expressing conflicting views, Baldev stated that the Maoist-led government should given be continuity until the twin tasks of peace and statute drafting are not completed.

On the intra-party rifts afflicting the UCPN-Maoist, the PLA spokesperson claimed that the party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is making preparations to bring a proposal of mutual understanding.