Get back to work
Integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants was expected to move faster after the signing of the seven-point agreement between the four major political parties on Nov 1, 2011. The pact had resolved almost all the long-standing controversial issues like number, norms, modality, duty (task) and ranks of the combatants.
With regard to the number of combatants to be integrated, Article 1 (Kha) of the agreement fixed the maximum at 6,500. It was also decided that one additional General Directorate would be formed under the present organizational structure of the Nepal Army where the state’s security organs and the Maoists would be represented in the ratio of 65:35.
With regard to norms for integration, Article 1 (Ga) states, “The Maoist Army combatants must personally fulfil the existing norms of the security organ where they will be integrated. But there will be some relaxation in terms of age, education and martial status.”
It was mentioned that one grade would be added for academic degrees and the age condition would be relaxed by three years.
In terms of modality, Article 1 (Kha) and (Ga) states that there will be individual entry and not group entry. The combatants will not remain in a group after completion of the bridge course and they will be posted according to the need of the Directorate. Regarding the thorny issue of duty, Article 1 (Kha) states that the duty of the Directorate will be development construction, forest security, industrial security and disaster management.
With regard to the very controversial and challenging issue of determination of the rank of the combatants, Article 1 (Gha) of the agreement states, “Ranks determination will take place according to the existing norms of the concerned security organ. While determining the ranks, it must not have any negative impact on the existing provisions and practices of the security organs and must not disturb the career-growth of the working officers as well as others.”
Articles 1 (Ng) states that the integrated combatants will get proper and fixed responsibilities after the completion of the bridge course and training prepared and conducted by the security organs. On the issue of weapons, Article 1 (Cha) states, “After the beginning of the process of integration, all the weapons kept in containers will automatically come under the disposal of the Nepal government.”
With regard to rehabilitation, Article 2 (Ka) of the agreement says that a package of education, training and vocational opportunities will be provided to the combatants who opt for rehabilitation. The amount of the package will range from Rs 600,000 to Rs 900,000. Regarding voluntary retirement, Article 2 (Kha) of the agreement states, “A maximum amount of Rs 800,000 and a minimum amount of Rs 500,000 will be given to the combatants on the basis of their rank and responsibilities.
This agreement was a big achievement and a milestone in the task of integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. After the pact was signed, the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation started the process of regrouping which was completed within the stipulated time and in a very smooth way. While 9,690 combatants opted for integration, 7,286 combatants chose voluntary retirement. Only six combatants opted for rehabilitation which was a very interesting but mysterious political phenomenon.
After regrouping was completed, it was hoped that integration and voluntary retirement could be started soon. Unfortunately, it could not happen for a long time as the Maoists started putting forward new demands. They started talking about increasing the number and questioning the standard norms defined by the agreement at informal and formal meetings. Now they are seriously reopening the issue of ranks determination and questioning the nature and duration of the bridge course.
After a gap of almost two months, the special committee held a meeting on Jan 27 and decided to begin the process of voluntary retirement from Jan 31. It is planned to be completed within 12 days. After voluntary retirement and rehabilitation is complete, one controversial issue that remains is ranks determination to begin the process of integration and hand over of the weapons in the containers to the government. Fixing the curriculum and duration of the bridge course are also a contentious issue.
The challenging issue is ranks determination. The Nov 1 agreement must be the fundamental basis for the purpose. The Nepal Army has already shown its position and is ready to accept the political decision of the major political parties. Now it’s the turn of the major political forces to show their political will and visionary approach to resolve the issue. After all, it is a technical as well as a political process. The core national leadership must find a middle way to build national consensus to advance the process of constitution making by completing the peace process in time.
It is crystal clear that if the peace process does not move forward, the constitution writing process will also not progress and vice versa. The whole country should exert pressure on the UCPN (Maoist) to complete the peace process as per the letter and spirit
of the Nov 1 accord. It is also necessary for the entire country to put pressure
on the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML to move forward the process of constitution making as per the desire and aspiration of the Nepali people. Any break, hesitation, dishonesty or irresponsible behaviour will push the country towards a serious accident, consistent chaos and confrontation, and can derail the country from the democratic and peaceful path.
Dev is a member of the Special Committee
Posted on: 2012-01-31 08:23
Post Your Comment
Today's Paper
The Kantipur in Print
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
Abin
All of them discussed the issue. The result was the same...and we have committed to continue discussions on the issue till midnight.
ADVERTISEMENTS
OUR PUBLICATION :
