Barshaman Pun, military in-charge of the Maoist party and a member of the Special Committee, told Republica that "all arms" were amassed at the residence of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Naya Bazar by Saturday evening. [break]The collected arms will be taken to Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan on Sunday for storage. There are altogether 96 arms in possession of PLA members in the security details for Maoist leaders.
"They [Maoist army personnel deputed for the security of Maoist leaders] are starting to leave for their respective cantonments from Sunday," said Pun.
On Sunday, Maoist army personnel who have been registered in the sixth (Surkhet) and seventh (Kailali) divisions are returning to their respective cantonments, said a PLA source deputed at Dahal´s residence.
As the Maoist army personnel are leaving the Maoist leaders, the Home Ministry has put security for the Maoist leaders on high alert, said an informed source at the ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara has directed the inspector generals of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to take necessary measures for the security of Maoist leaders, the source told Republica on condition of anonymity.
As per the decision of the Special Committee taken last week, Maoist army personnel in security details for Maoist leaders will return to the cantonments where they were registered by the United Nations Mission in Nepal during verification in December 2007. Those registered in Kathmandu will be sent to Shaktikhor cantonment, Chitwan.
This development follows the Maoists´ unilateral decision and a subsequent decision of the Special Committee to end dual security arrangemens for Maoist leaders. In effect since the Maoists signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2006, the system allowed Maoist leaders to have Maoist army personnel for their security.
As per a decision of the Maoist party then, 35 central committee members are entitled to the dual security system. However, some of them have not used this privilege.
Arms used for security of Baidya camp leaders yet to be turned in
Contradicting Pun´s claims, members of the Maoist People´s Liberation Army (PLA) deputed for the security of leaders belonging to the Baidya faction said that they had not submitted their arms as of late Saturday evening.
The Baidya faction has objected to the withdrawal of Maoist army personnel from the security details of Maoist leaders and are for returning the personnel to those leaders.
"Though the decision to return PLA personnel is yet to be taken formally, we may have to hand over the weapons eventually," said UCPN (M) Secretary CP Gajurel. Netra Bikram Chand, an influential leader belonging to the Baidya faction, also said that the decision would be followed once the party so decides.
Govt explores support for rehabilitition package
Though the parties are yet to agree on a rehabilitation package for ex-Maoist combatants, the government has begun exploring possible help from donors for funding the rehabilitation.
"We are informally in touch with donors for the funding required for the rehabilitation package," said a senior official at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction.
The government made the plea during the last board meeting of the Nepal Peace Trust Fund and a recent meeting of donors, the official said.
But donors have already indicated that they may not be positive about supporting any rehabilitation package involving cash. "They are positive toward supporting a rehabilitation package involving vocational training," said a source who attended the meetings.
"Once the rehabilitation package is developed, we will approach donors formally for support," said the official.
In a divided proposal, the secretariat under the Special Committee has proposed to give Rs 375,000 to those who opt for rehabilitation. But the Maoists have opposed this, saying it is not enough. Lately, they have proposed that Maoist army personnel who prefer rehabilitation should be given between Rs 500,000 to Rs 700,000.
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