E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, DEC 21 - The government's decision to recruit Madhesi youths to Nepal Army (NA) to make it more inclusive has drawn flak from opposition parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML as well as other political forces and groups.

The parties say Tuesday's decision of the Cabinet to recruit 3,000 Madhesi youths, including those from Dalit, indigenous and backward communities in the region, would jeopardise the professional and apolitical character of the national army.

NC and UML say the NA should be an inclusive organisation but bulk entry of any particular group would affect its integrity. Earlier, during a meeting with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, the two parties asked the government not to take such a decision.

During the two-party meeting held at Singha Durbar, NC and UML discussed the issue but could not reach a conclusion. “The NC will not accept the decision as it hampers unity, discipline, and professionalism in the Army. We won't support any kind of factionalism within the NA,” said NC leader Arjun Narshingh KC. Stating that the recent Cabinet decision was unacceptable to the party, NC leaders said they would instead support other alternatives to making the NA inclusive.

“The decision to form a separate battalion of Madhesis will cause divisions within the Army. Other alternatives should be sought,” KC said.

UML leader Pradeep Gywali said the NA should be made an inclusive institution but the government's recent decision was flawed. “There are many other communities who lack their representation in the NA. Creating a separate battalion for a particular region of caste will affect the command and control of NA,” said Gyawali.

Tharus and indigenous nationalities have also warned the government against the move. In a joint statement, they have given the government 15 days to scrap the decision. Tharuhat Tarai Party President Laxman Tharu, while vehemently criticising the government for undermining the interests of various indigenous nationalities and Tharus residing in the Tarai region, threatened to revolt if the decision was not corrected.

Indigenous Nationalities Dalit Republican Alliance also expressed serious concern over the decision stating that nobody should be inducted into the NA on the bases of caste and geographical identity. The Chure Bahwar Ekata Party has also criticised the government over the move.

Posted on: 2011-12-21 11:59

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