PLAs warn agitation if demands not fulfilled

SHIVARAJ BHATTA

MASURIYA: Accusing the UCPN-Maoist leadership of deserting them, former PLA combatants based at Kailali’s Seventh Division opting for integration into Nepali Army today threatened of launching an agitation if their grievances were not addressed within two days.

Issuing a joint press release, Seventh Division battalion commander Krishna Sharma, battalion assistant commanders Nabalsingh Rokaya and Nripa Bahadur Rokaya demanded that the government and party leadership either expedite the integration process recognising the age and education verified by the UNMIN or a lump sum financial package be given to them within two days for voluntary retirement.

Rokaya called on the government to accelerate the integration process, recognise the age and education verified by the UNMIN. He went to say they would not be integrated into NA if these conditions were not met. “If the government does not meet our demands within two days, we are ready to resort to any sort of protest including strike,” he warned.

Though former fighters had expressed their willingness to integrate into NA earlier, they vented their ire on the leadership for its apathy to their grievances. “Our party leadership too has erred. If the leadership does not think about our future, we shall launch stern agitation,” Rokaya said.

Former PLA combatants had boycotted the integration process expressing reservation on age, education and ranks set by the Nepali Army.

Disgruntled fighters said that their hopes to join the Nepali Army were dashed after the integration process started breaching the past agreements. They asked the government either to complete the integration task as promised or provide them voluntary retirement.

The former combatants lamented that their contribution had gone in vain as the CA had failed to promulgate a new constitution. “Our contribution and sacrifice went in vain. Neither the state nor the party has honoured our contribution,” section commander Joshi complained.

Venting ire on the party leadership, platoon commander Premlal Chunar accused the party leadership of playing with their future.