Joint panel mulled to monitor PLA

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Secretariat, tasked with bringing Maoist combatants under the government, has plans to form a joint mechanism comprising security forces and People’ Liberation Army representatives to monitor Maoist combatants after UNMIN departs next month.

The mechanism will comprise representatives from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the People’s Liberation Army.

The Secretariat worked out this mechanism with the aim of involving the Maoists in the monitoring process. The Maoists had rejected its earlier proposal which mentioned that only ex-army men would be hired for the job of monitoring former Maoist combatants.

Dr Shambhu Ram Simkhada, a Nepali Congress member in the Secretariat, said the concept of joint mechanism has yet to get full shape. “The idea is still in its infancy. It needs to be further discussed with our Maoist colleagues,” he said.

Another member of the Secretariat informed that Maoist members in the Secretariat are not yet convinced with the proposal of a joint monitoring body. But, they appear to be more “positive” than with the earlier proposal.

“Our Maoist colleagues were not able to decide immediately. They have told us they need approval from the party high command,” he added.

In its earlier proposal, floated by the coordinator of the 12-member government body, retired lieutenant general of Nepal Army Balananda Sharma, 154 former Nepal army officers would be employed as monitors in all seven main and 21 satellite cantonments housing PLA combatants.