Ilam, November 14:

General Secretary of the CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal today said that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) combatants should be integrated into the Nepali army in accordance with the seven-point agreement.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Ilam chapter of the Press Chautari Nepal, Khanal said, “The assumptions of the CPN-Maoist and the Nepali Congress on PLA integration are extremist ones.” He stressed the need to go for the integration early.

Khanal urged the armed outfits to engage in talks with the government to sort out outstanding

issues. Expressing hope that the outfits will come to the negotiating table, he said, “The government should take strict action against those outfits, which resort to violence.”

Saying that the new constitution cannot be framed by sidelining the NC, he said that the UML was taking initiatives to include the NC in the government.