Kathmandu, January 28:

CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali today said the People’s Liberation Army combatants should be given an option to join security forces rather than integrating them into the national army.

Speaking at a programme organised here today, the UML CA member also said the

government should introduce economic packages to rehabilitate them in the society so that they could live a civilian life with social respect.

“The Maoist fighters need to fulfill minimum standard, norms and basic criteria if they want to join the security forces,” Gyawali said, addressing a programme on ‘Prospects and Reintegration of the Maoist Army’. He also said the rift between the Defence Ministry and the Nepal Army was widening.

“Security forces need to be professional, neutral and should maintain national character. NA has shown flexibility in the past, which made our journey to republican system peaceful. We need to change our perspectives to view the NA,” he said.

Nepali Congress CA member Prakash Sharan Mahat said the Maoist combatants fought for

the political agenda and that their leadership was yet to show respect for democratic norms.

“They should stop uttering threatening words like taking up arms if two armies weren’t integrated,” Mahat said, adding: “The government should offer options for the rehabilitation to the PLA fighters. It should also offer them with necessary support for future.”

However, Maoist leader Krishna KC stressed the need to unify two armies for the sake of national unity.

Anil Jha, general secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party, said Maoist combatants deserved respect and should be provided with appropriate compensation. “However, demands to appoint PLA generals as Supreme Commander of the national army is not acceptable,” he said, adding, “Only the fighters who fulfill the selection criteria can be integrated into NA. Or else, various armed groups operating in Tarai would also demand integration into the national army.”

Security expert Geja Sharma Wagle said, “As per the constitution and agreements, the Cabinet should finalise a Nepali model based on political consensus and internationally acclaimed democratic values and principles,” he added.