Damak, September 12:

Chhabi Limbu is a veteran Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) guerrilla, but with a difference. He is ready to shed his combat fatigue, lay down the gun for good and live like a civilian for the sake of lasting peace and a democratic republic in the country.

Life in the camp here is not as edge-of-the seat as it was during the insurgency, but still he has his chores to do. Limbu’s day begins at 4 am. He goes for the drill and then does his exercises. The PLA soldiers are being schooled in sentry duty and political orientation as well.

Limbu, a native of Oyam in Panchthar district, had wanted to join the British Gurkha regiment. He went to Pokhara to appear for a test but could not make the grade. He then opted to join the PLA.

Seemingly different in nature and temperament from most of the other PLA soldiers, Limbu said, “I am willing to live like a common man for the sake of lasting peace and democratic republic in the country.” He, however, disagreed with the UN’s DDR proposal (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Registration) for the PLA. “It will not be so easy to integrate the PLA personnel into the mainstream,” he said. He added that the government should make the integration process easier.

Holder of a proficiency certificate, Limbu married Maoist guerrilla Sushma Sherpa of the same camp just two months ago. He confided that marriage had changed his outlook

towards life. Sushma herself joined the CPN-Maoist in 2002. Talking to this daily, she said, “Now those days merely remain in memory. Life here at the camp is not so bad.”

Asked what they would do if they were disqualified during the verification and not integrated into the Nepal Army, she replied, “That is for our party to think about. Our duty was to fight for the people’s liberation. We did so. Now, it is time for the party to do its duty.”