Bulk integration will disintegrate security agencies: Defence Minister
Kathmandu, Nov 21 - Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari on Saturday said the bulk integration of the Maoists combatants would bring disintegration in the Nepal Army and other state security agencies.
Speaking at the programme organised by the Reporters Club in the Capital today she said the government is careful on not to set a wrong precedent while making its call on the contentious integration issue. "The group entry of the former rebel armies in the professional security forces of the nation will disintegrate the security forces," said Bhandari. "We should not set up wrong precedent now as the new arm groups may also raise demands of integration of their militants in the future."
She said the nation should be made free from the "burden" of Maoists combatants before the new constitution is promulgated. "They should be released from the cantonments with honor by submitting their weapons to the government," she added.
The Defence Minister also stressed that the Maoist should not be brought into the government unless they disarm themselves. "The Maoists are using their combatants as a bargaining chip for a vested political interest. They are not committed to peace and democracy and are using the current transition as a ceasefire, a strategy to capture the state-power," said Bhandari. "It would be misfortunate for the nation if we again allow the Maoists to make government without totally disarming them."
She said the supremacy of the Maoist party would be established in the country if the "big parties" support the formation of Maoist-led government. Accusing the Maoists for turning deaf year to respond the integration and rehabilitation of combatants during its government, Bhandari said the Maoist still want to keep the process stagnated. "They are still the cadres of the Maoist party. The government can't pay for their salaries and ration for indefinite period," added the Minister.
Bhandari also reiterated the need of the revision of the Comprehensive Peace Accord signed in Nov. 2006. "Many clauses of the CPA have not been implemented by the Maoist sides so I proposed the revision of the agreement. It's for the parties to decide on it," she added. She said "all the parties" are positive on resuming the halt recruitment in the Nepal Army and the government would decide on the issue soon.
She said the promotion of Maj. Gen. Toran Jung Bahadur Singh to the post of Lt. Gen. is in process and will be materialised on the basis of seniority.
Post Your Comment