SC bids adieu to all combatants seeking retirement

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: The Special Committee (SC) for the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the former Maoist combatants has bidden farewell to all the former Maoist combatants opting for voluntary retirement.

“Over 1507 combatants have been bidden farewell by handing over cheques,” said Madhu Bilas Pandit, Officiating Secretary at the SC Secretariat.

"We wrapped up the process of giving farewell to combatants seeking retirement last night,” said Pandit.

All the combatants preferring voluntary retirement have been given the cheques and travel expense , according to the SC.

A total of 385 former combatants from Chitwan-based Shaktikhor, 105 from Ilam, 139 from Sindhuli, 303 from Surkhet, 317 from Rolpa, 82 from Kailali and 176 from Nawalparasi received the cheques.

The Ministry of Finance had allocated Rs. 819.59 million for combatants preferring voluntary retirement to the integration into Nepal Army(NA).

Now, there are 1600 combatants awaiting for their integration into Nepal Army. Some of them have already attended physical tests conducted by the army. The NA has also planned a complete professional training and bridge course for them. Written examination of former PLA combatants opting for integration has also commenced.Coordinator of the Secretariat under the Army Integration Special Committee, Balananda Sharma, said written examination which began after 10:30 am will conclude today itself. Sharma said results will be published on September 19. A total of 176 combatants of the Shaktikhor-based Maoist Third Division are attending examination.

Earlier, 3,123 Maoist fighters in seven cantonments across the country had applied for their integration into the national army.