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Panel to integrate Maoists’ army formed

— Photo: AFP

Maoist rebels in this file photo.

KATHMANDU: The Maoist-led government of Nepal has finally formed the special committee to integrate and rehabilitate Maoist combatants.

The five-member committee formed on Tuesday comprises leaders of the major allies of the government with Mr. Bam Dev Gautam (Deputy Prime Minister and a senior UML leader) as the coordinator. Other members are Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa (Maoists), Peace and Reconstruction Minister Janardan Sharma (Maoists) and Mohammed Habibullah of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.

The government had earlier announced that a special committee would be formed to conduct the process. However, a dispute over leadership of the committee had delayed its formation. As per the government’s programmes and policies, the Maoists’ army would be “managed” by March 2009.

The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) is monitoring the cantonments where the Maoist combatants — the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) — are sheltered.

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