Maoists shelving integration process, says PM

NEPALGUNJ: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today said the Maoists do not want integration of their combatants into the security forces.

Addressing an inaugural function of Rubaru FM here, the PM also said the government will not delay the constitution drafting and the peace processes.

“The government is in favour of completing the statute drafting and peace processes within the stipulated time,” he said. “Some forces are trying to delay the processes,’’ he added.

Claiming that 19,000 combatants in Maoist cantonments was not the correct figure, he said, “The Maoists are getting the remuneration for more number of combatants than the present members in the cantonments and as such they want to delay the rehabilitation process, he reasoned.

“I came to know from a reliable source that many combatants have already left the cantonments,’’ he said. “This is why the Maoists do not want to prepare the work plan and guideline regarding the rehabilitation and integration of the combatants.’’

The PM, however, urged the Maoists to make clear the exact number of combatants in the camps. Nepal maintained that it was difficult to trust the Maoists as what they said and did always differed. Accusing the Maoists of being involved in anarchic activities, he said consensus was the need of the hour. On the murder of media baron Jamim Shah, the PM said, “The culprits will be brought to book at any cost.’’

Meanwhile, speaking at the programme, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical planning and Works Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar suggested the Maoists not dream of forming the new government.

“The present government was formed after the Maoists failed to run the state,’’ he said.

PM Nepal also inspected the building of a Cancer Hospital being constructed in Khajura in Banke district.