KATHMANDU:

The personal data on Maoist combatants, maintained by the UN Mission in Nepal during their verification process, could come handy to break the present standoff regarding integration of People’s Liberation Army into the national security agencies, a Nepal Army source said on Tuesday. “During the verification of Maoist combatants the UNMIN had asked each PLA fighter some 20-25 questions. One of the questions had to do with the future plans of the combatants,” a source said. “Although the Nepal Army itself doesn’t know for sure what the combatants’ responses were, the UNMIN feedback could definitely be a pointer,” the source said. “For this, the government and Maoist leadership will have to make a joint request to the UNMIN,” the source said.