Kathmandu, January 3:

A meeting of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) commanders of the CPN-Maoist today decided to mark the 13th anniversary of the People’s War at the PLA’s Fourth Division stationed at Jyaltunge Danda of Nawalparasi district on February 12.

The CPN-Maoist had waged the People’s War on February 12, 1993 to overthrow the monarchy and hold constituent assembly election to write a republican constitution.

A decision to this effect was taken at the PLA commanders’ meeting held at Naya Bazaar this morning. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was also present during the meeting. Nanda Kishor Pun “Pasang,” chief commander of the PLA, told mediapersons that all the commanders of the seven divisions were present during the meeting.

Party chairman Prachanda used to be the supreme-commander-in-chief of the PLA till the June 25 agreement reached among the then Seven-Party Alliance. Prachanda had to quit the post as per the accord, which states that a Maoist leader who holds any government position has to relinquish the party’s military position.

Over 13,000 people, including the PLA fighters, civilians, government security forces and innocent people lost lives during the decade-long conflict, which was officially brought to an end after the then Government led by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord on November 21, 2006.

Last year, the PLA had celebrated the 12th anniversary of the People’s War in the Chitwan-based Shaktikhor camp.

During the meeting, according to Pasang, PM Prachanda briefed the PLA commanders about the progress made so far on the peace process, understanding on the Special Committee on PLA integration and rehabilitation as well as the process of writing the new constitution.

The PM also directed the PLA commanders to assist in the party’s planned four-month-long national awareness campaign that kicked off in the first week of December. PM’s press advisor Om Sharma said the PM had instructed the PLA commanders to fully abide by the Comprehensive Peace Accord and make their contribution to bring the ongoing peace process to a logical end.