Tag of disqualified should be terminated: Ex-combatants

KATHMANDU: The UN verified late recruits and minors of the former Maoist combatants have asked the government to terminate the tag of disqualified that has been imposed on them.

At a news conference here on Friday, they said that the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PAL) that fought for the decade-long insurgency was not disqualified and asked the government to implement the deal signed with the then government.

The number of the UN verified late recruits and minors of the ex-combatants are nearly 4,000.

On the occasion, chairman of the UN verified late recruits and minors PLA Nepal Arjun Budhathoki warned to take to the streets from March 14 phasewise against the government in order to pile pressure to meet their demands.

The national gathering of the UN verified late recruits and minors of the ex-Maoist fighters held some time ago formed a 51-member national committee under the leadership of Budhathoki.

Raju Pokharel and Sajib Thapa are picked as the vice-chairs while Dinesh Ghaga is the general secretary and Manoj Hamal secretary.