The agreement between three major parties most awaited event of integration of Maoist combatants. The political parties arrived at a consensus following crucial talks held in Baluwatar Yesterday evening.
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala, UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and representative of the Madhesi Front leader Bijay Gachchhadar signed the agreement. The leaders had conclusion after held several rounds of bilateral and multi-lateral talks before arriving at the final deal.
According to the agreement, 6500 Maoist combatants will be integrated into the Security forces while those options for rehabilitation will be entitled to Rs 500,000 to 800,000 depending on their ranks and the type of package they choose. The combatants will be introduced into a separate Directorate of the Nepal Army, which will look after development projects, industrial and forest security and rescue works during disasters. While 65 percent of the workforce in the new Directorate will come from different security agencies, the integrated combatants will make up for 35 percent of the force.
Meanwhile, the combatants will be integrated after completing a certain course. While the integration will be done as per the recruiting standards of the Nepal Army the candidates will get some concession in terms of academic qualification and age limit.
Regrouping of combatants will start within seven days and the process will complete by November 23. The properties seized by the Maoists will be returned by November 23. Those not getting their properties back will be rewarded by the state.
