Integrate PLA into party: Poudel

KATHMANDU, Oct 3 - Vice President of Nepali Congress (NC) Ram Chandra Poudel today said that the Maoist combatants should be integrated into the structure of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Poudel argued that the Maoist combatants should be rehabilitated instead of integrating them in the Nepal Army. "The ...

He objected to Maoist plans to integrate all their combatants in the national army.

He alleged that the Maoist leadership was using only the word 'integration' even though the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) reached with the then government clearly states that the combatants would be either integrated or rehabilitated.

"The Maoist leadership is threatening to take up arms if all their combatants are not integrated in the national army," said Poudel. "The Maoist leadership is not open to the option of rehabilitation of their combatants.

He was speaking at a function organized by the Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation to mark the 139th Gandhi Day and 2nd International Non-Violence Day in the capital today.

He criticised the Maoists for failing to honour past agreements and misusing the state treasury for partisan interests. While urging coalition partners in the current government to check the unruly activities of the Maoist cadres, he said, "the Nepali Congress will strongly protest both in parliament and in the streets against Maoist attempts to impose totalitarianism.

Addressing the function, UNMIN chief Ian Martin said peace will remain elusive in Nepal unless the issue of Maoist combatants is addressed. He also pointed out the need to incorporate the voices of all groups in the constitution to bring about lasting peace in the country.