Major parties in Nepal oppose Maoists induction into army

Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Oct 20 (PTI) Sharp differences have come to
the fore among the Nepalese political parties on the complex
issue of integrating 19,000-strong former Maoists rebels into
the army, with many politicians sensing in the move a threat
of dilution of the force.
Most of the political parties barring the dominant
Maoists party are opposing the merger and some like Madhesi
groups even gone to the extent of demanding a proportionate
representation of the community in the armed forces.
The main opposition Nepali Congress has rejected the
idea raising the ire of the defence minister and Maoist leader
Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal', who threatened to use force to
suppress the opponents of the integration move.
Senior leader of C.P.N.-U.M.L. K P Sharma Oli has
expressed the view that instead of integrating the Maoist
combatants in the national army, management of the Maoist
combatant is needed.
"It is not possible to integrate the Maoists' army
into the national army, but some of the combatants, who are
qualified and willing can join the army,"s Sharma, also leader
of the second largest coalition partner, said.
He also criticised defence minister for the language
of threat against those opposing the idea of integration.
"The threat by Defence Minister to suppress the
opponents by using the army is irresponsible and autocratic
remark," he said.
Meanwhile, Nepali Congress' acting president Shushil
Koirala said his party will stir against the army integration.
"The Maoist combatants are not equal to the national
army and they should be given choice of either to join the
national army or to be rehabilitated. Only those willing to
join and those meeting standard norms and qualifications
should be included in the national army," he pointed out. PTI