PLA, NA integration a must: Pun

KATHMANDU, Sept 4 - Nanda Kishor Pun, deputy Commander of the Maoists’ People's Liberation Army (PLA), has said that any obstruction in integration of Nepali Army (NA) and PLA into a national army would invite conflict.Speaking at Reporters' Club on Wednesday, Pun said unification of the two armies is essential ...

"Those who are against integrating the PLA into NA are in favor of inviting conflict," he said, adding, "There will be  conflict if the two forces are not united. He claimed the peace process could not be taken to a logical end if both armies are not integrated. Pun, who is set to become chief of the Maoists' army after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal quits the post, said that the armies integration process would begin within three months and the task would be complete within six months.

Hinting at the Maoists intention to downsize the national army, he also claimed that 50-thousand strong army would be enough for the country.

Pun said the Maoist party has no plan to take action against NA Chief Rookmangud Katawal. "We are not in favor of changing the Army Chief," he said, adding, "I urged the NA Chief to correct the tradition of giving controversial political remarks.

He claimed that Nepali Congress (NC) was trying to bring the issue into controversy.

However, NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said Maoist forces should not be integrated into national army at any cost. "The combatants of a particular political party must not be integrated into the national army," he said. He threatened to take strong action if the Maoist combatants are integrated into Nepal Army.

Retired Lt Gen  of Nepal Army CB Gurung suggested that the government finalize the policy on such a sensitive issue only after comprehensive discussions and after garnering consensus among all 25 political parties represented in the CA.

The retired Brig Gen advised the government to start the integration process only after national security policy.