Rights bodies slam PLA’s recruitment call

Kathmandu, March 3:

Human rights organisations today expressed concerns about the fresh recruitment move of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), saying that it posed a serious threat to the ongoing peace process.

The Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) today called the government and the Maoists to maintain restraint in order to ensure lasting peace in the country. Both the PLA and Nepal Army began fresh recruitment violating the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), it said. It criticised the Maoists for playing a provocative role even after joining the government.

The HURPES said the PLA’s declaration to recruit more combatants could push the nation to anarchy.

Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRCN) also termed the fresh recruitment move of the PLA as a serious violation of the CPA. Issuing a press statement, it urged the Maoists to withdraw its recruitment plan and help take the peace process to a logical conclusion. “It is unfortunate that the PLA decided to recruit more combatants at a time when the NA’s recruitment process is under the apex court’s jurisdiction,” the IHRCN added.