UN registration of Maoist arms, armies completes

UN registration of Maoist arms, armies completes

KATHMANDU, Feb 18 - The United Nation has completed registration and verification of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighters and storage of their weapons in all the seven main cantonment sites across the nation.

Talking to ekantipur over the phone, Kieran Dwyer, spokesperson at the UN mission in Nepal said that the UN team had completed all tasks at all main and sub cantonments Saturday itself and that the world body was presently compiling a final report regarding the process.

"The report will include the number and types of weapons registered and will be submitted to the government and the Maoists in the next few days," said the UN official.

Marred by differences between the UN officials and Maoist commanders over the age of the combatants and at other times over the language in the forms filled by the PL A fighters, the registration, verification and storage process was finally wrapped up on Saturday.

Previously, monitoring of Maoist arms management at Shaktikhor, Chitwan had been halted abruptly in January as a string of arguments arose between the UN team and Maoist cadres.

Likewise, the Maoists have, on numerous occasions, refused to divulge the number of registered fighters stating that some of the fighters had failed to meet the age criteria although they have been maintaining that they have 35,000 PLA fighters.

The government and the Maoists said in their arms agreement that those recruited into the Maoist army after May 25 last year (when the ceasefire code of conduct was signed) and those less than 18 years of age will not be registered.

According Maoist deputy commander Nanda Kishor Pun “Pasang,” the UN registration and verification process of the PLA and their weapons has been completed and that the two sides—the Maoist and the UN—would soon make public the official number of the PLA fighters and their weapons.

As per the peace deal reached between the seven-party alliance government and the Maoists, the Maoist PLA has been confined within the seven main cantonment sites across the country.

After placing the Maoist combatants within the cantonments, all the arms and ammunition except those required for providing security to the cantonments shall be securely stored and the keys to the single lock shall remain with the side concerned.

Likewise, the world body will monitor the weapons put under the single lock by fitting a alarm.

The interim government containing the Maoists shall form a special committee in order to inspect, integrate and rehabilitate the Maoist combatants.

As part of the peace deal, the Nepali Army will reciprocate the Maoists arms lock-up by locking-up the similar number of weapons within the Kathmandu valley.

After the completion of the verification process of the PLA fighters and their weapons, the former rebels, who entered the political mainstream in mid-January with 83 seats in the 330-seat Interim Legislature-Parliament, will join the interim government, which will be mandated to hold the constituent assembly elections due to take place in mid-June this year.

The seven parties and the Maoists on November 21 declared an end to the armed conflict ongoing in the country since 1995 by giving permanency to the ongoing cease-fire between the two sides.

The bloody decade-long insurgency has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people.(www.ekantipur.com)

Breathless Nepal!

About Nepal:

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to arctic.

This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.
Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

Language: Nepali
Currency: Nepalese Rupee
Political System: Multiparty Democracy.
National Bird: Impean Pheasant Danfe).
National Flower: Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans).

The most exhilarating titles with which Nepal has been admired and praised by various renowned travel writers in recognition of her cultural richness : Living cultural Museum Shangri-La Roof of the World Birth place of the Apostle of Peace Country of Living Goddess City of Golden Pagodas and Parasols Himalayan Pilgrimage Nature amphitheater Melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism A tiny Kingdom of 103 ethnic groups and 100 spoken languages Birth place of Sita Abode of Shiva Land of Mysticism & Exoticism Land of non-stop festivals are explicit and self-explanatory. They tell the world about our incomparable & prosperous cultural heritage.