International   

Jolt to Nepal verification

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: Verification of the Maoist combatants by the U.N., which started about a month ago, has stalled again due to Maoists raising questions on the success of the peace process itself.

The Maoist representatives at the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) meeting on Monday refused to resume the process “unless other political issues were settled”.

At a press conference here on Monday, chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin alleged that the Maoists were not willing to discharge their combatants, who were disqualified during the verification process.

He said the process was not contingent upon other political issues. The Article 4.1.3 of the Agreement on Monitoring the Management of Arms and Armies states that upon registration, Maoist army combatants, if found to be born after 25 May 1988, will be honourably and automatically discharged.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda charged the U.N. with conspiring against the Maoists. Speaking in Butwal, Mr. Pracahnda said,

“We found that the UNMIN was conspiring to apply DDR [Demobilisation, Demilitarisation and Rehabilitation) method of Sudan and Africa on our army also.”

He said the Maoists had agreed to follow the Security Sector Reform (SSR) modality. He said the UNMIN’s attempt to decrease the number of combatants in Chulachili cantonment by 40 per cent has raised questions about its intention.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pakistan thins down reference against Chief Justice
NWFP Government-tribals pact to end violence
Six die in Japan quake
13 Tigers surrendered: army
Jolt to Nepal verification
Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary visiting Pakistan
U.K. to expel four Russian diplomats
Solution should be acceptable to all: Pakistan
“Taliban behind attack”
Somali talks put off
Hasina arrested, sent to jail
Sabeel remanded to custody till August 13

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu