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Prachanda proposes merger of Maoist army with Nepal Army

Issue of arms management could also be discussed, says Maoist leader

Kathmandu: Maoist leader Prachanda has proposed merging the armies of the rebels and Government ahead of the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal.

``The Maoist army and the Nepal Army could be merged before Constituent Assembly elections after the formation of the interim government through an interim constitution,'' Mr. Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal was quoted as saying by government-run The Rising Nepal daily.

Earlier, the Maoist chief had accused the Nepal Army of ``killing people and murdering Nepalese women.''

Objecting to his allegations, the Nepal Army has said it had always remained and would continue to remain committed to protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the people.

Mr. Prachanda also said the issue of arms management could be discussed between the Maoists and the Government.

Reacting to his proposal of merging the two armies, U.N. Assistant Secretary General Kul Chandra Gautam said at an interaction programme here that it would be problematic.

The Maoist proposal to merge the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Nepal Army seems problematic on two grounds — first, it appears objectionable to have an ideologically indoctrinated contingent loyal to one political party become part of a national army. ``Second, at a time when we are trying to downsize the army, expanding it by adding additional contingents seem illogical''.

``Nevertheless, since we have the reality of existence of PLA and there is need to accommodate them as part of the peace process, creative solutions should be found, especially if Maoists renounce armed conflict as a legitimate method for bringing political change in a democracy,'' he said. — PTI

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