At the cantonment in Rolpa, the ex-Maoist combatants insist on a political consensus on integration
Phanindra Dahal
Dahaban, Rolpa
Inside the fifth division of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) here in Rolpa, combatant 24-year-old Khuma Pun ‘Yatri’ remains anxious about her future, even though she cleared her SLC examinations this year.
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| Khuma Pun during the interview. |
“I want to continue my reading and I also want to serve the national army. But the government is treating us like its step children. I can’t say what will happen in the future,” Pun says, before leaving to construct a sentry post inside the camp.
The integration and rehabilitation of over 19,600 combatants living in the 28 cantonments are two of the most intricate issues in the country currently. Two subsequent governments formed after the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections have collapsed without securing the future of the former rebel soldiers. Meanwhile, current negotiations continue to linger over the details of the process, including the numbers of the combatants to be integrated.
“The peace process cannot come to a logical conclusion without settling the issue of Maoist combatants and the new constitution cannot be promulgated under the shadow of the gun,” says Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shekhar Koirala.
The major bone of contention among the three major parties is the modality of integration and the number of combatants to be integrated into security agencies. The NC and CPN-UML argue that the number of Maoist weapons registered by UNMIN should be the basis of integration. This proposal has not pleased the Maoists, as only 3,475 combatants can opt for integration in such a case. The Maoists wants all combatants to be given a choice, and those choosing integration should be integrated into the national army or a separate security organ that constitutes ex-PLA members.
But without a political consensus, the current state of indecision will continue.
Ex-combatants at the Dahaban camp seem to be living a sedentary life without much option. The combatants start their day with a roll-call at 5 am followed by drills, physical training and some more exercise. With no specific work apart from small constructions and management in the camps, many live a married life with their fellow comrades, like Pun. Besides discussing politics and reading communist literature, both the commanders and the juniors share a “deep fascination” to serve in the national army. And some have their own proposals.
“The PLA was not formed to return home or get a job. There should be a political decision to merge the PLA and the Nepal Army together into a new national army,” says Vice-Commander Raj Bahadur Buda ‘Awinash’.
The Chief of the Nepal Army could be the head of the new national army, while the chief of the PLA could be appointed the second man, thus creating a win-win situation, argues the 47-year-old commander.
The opposition comes from several quarters—including top ranking officials in the Nepal Army—who oppose the integration of what they call “excessively politically-indoctrinated combatants.” Army Chief Gen. Chhatra Man Singh Gurung issued a statement in March this year opposing the bulk integration of combatants, warning that such a move could damage the organisational unity of Nepal Army. The Army has said on record that after a broad-based political consensus, it might consider the integration of individual combatants who meet its established standards.
Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari has said, “They (Maoist combatants) are loyal to the party. Integrating them means polluting the security agencies. To uphold the professional nature of the Army and other security agencies, individuals living in the cantonments should be integrated into society.”
Analysts urge the need of a political decision to implement this outstanding task of the peace process. “The integration and rehabilitation of combatants is a national responsibility. There should be a political decision to take this process forward,” says Retired Lt. Gen. C.B. Gurung.
Despite the need to complete this task, experts also argue that the fulfillment of standard norms of security agencies and the harmonization of the senior ranks of the PLA into the Army are the most complex issues that will occur while taking the decision on integration.
“The Nepal Army doesn’t recruit anyone who is above the age of 22. If we go by existing norms, most combatants cannot even meet the age criteria of recruitment,” adds Gurung. “There is no alternative but to make a one-time special provision to carry out this national responsibility,” he says.
Given the expectations of combatants who live at this foothill in Rolpa, it seems a political consensus on integration is the only way out. But the current impasse has deepened the insecurities former combatants have. Division Vice-Commander Ram Lal Rokka ‘Madan’ says he is an example of the insecurity the impasse over integration has created.
Originally from Kureli in Rolpa, his impoverished family depends on agriculture. While a 17-year old son studies in grade eight, Rokka’s 12-year old daughter studies in grade two. It’s difficult for the family to make ends meet with Rokka away in the camp, and two school-going children. For him, there is no other option but for political parties to find a common ground on the issue.
“Political parties should come up with a package that secures our future,” says the 38-year-old commander.
(Published at the Kathmandu Post on July 31, 2010)
