ROLPA, FEB 08 - With the release of 268 combatants from the Fifth Division cantonment in Dahaban of Rolpa, the discharge process of the disqualified Maoist combatants concluded on Monday. UCPN (Maoist) Chariman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' bid farewell to the former Maoist fighters who were disqualified during the United Nations verfication in 2007. 

The discharge of disqualified combatants started a month ago from the Second Division cantonment in Dudhauli of Sindhuli.

However, only 268 combatants among 452 who were rendered disqualified by UNMIN were present in the discharge ceremony today. The rest had already left the cantonment.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Dahal said the disqualified combatants were discharged from the cantonments to assist the ongoing peace process and that the whole process should be taken as a victory.

The Maoist Chairman urged the discharged combatants to play a creative role in the peace process.

Also speaking at the function, UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren opined that the Maoist leadership should make sure that the discharged combatants will not be involved in any sort of criminal activities.

Representatives from UNMIN, UNDP and the envoys of six different nations assisting Nepal in the peace process were also present during the ceremony.

The discharge of the disqualified combatants had started with the release of 201 combatants from the Maoist second division headquarters in Dudhauli, Sindhuli on Jan. 7.

Likewise, the second, third and fourth batch were discharged from the UN-monitored cantonments at Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Ilam on Jan. 17, Jan 21 and Jan 25 respectively.

Each of the disqualified combatants were provided with an identity card, a new pair of clothes and Rs. 22,000 as traveling expense--Rs. 10,000 by the UN and Rs. 12,000 by the Maoist military wing--prior to their departure.

The government and the UN have offered the discharged former combatants a rehabilitation package that includes vocational training and formal education. The disqualified can make their choices on the offer within a year of their discharge.

Among the 4,008 disqualified combatants, the UNMIN has categorised 2,973 as minors (born after May 25, 1988) and 1,035 as recruited after the signing of the Ceasefire Code of Conduct in May 25, 2006.

 

Posted on: 2010-02-17 03:01

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