Addressing a function organized by Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation to commemorate the 89th birth anniversary of late Nidhi in the capital, Deuba argued that new constitution can not be implemented if it is promulgated before the management of the Maoists combatants and armed Young Communist League (YCL). [break]
The Maoists also have been demanding that the management of their cantoned combatants and promulgation of the new constitution go hand in hand.
“You have just been repeating the word constitution. Now do also repeat the word management of armed [Maoist] cadres,” Deuba demanded of his party cadres. “There is no meaning in promulgating the new constitution without creating a fear free environment.”
Deuba claimed that the government has not specifically reached any agreement to integrate Maoist combatants in the Nepal Army. He said that if the combatants wanted to be part of the national army, they should strictly follow established norms and procedures. He said disbanding paramilitary structure of the YCL and returning of the properties seized during the conflict is also vital to the successful conclusion of the peace process.
Speaking on the occasion, NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said peace process is virtually in peril as Maoists have failed to return to peaceful politics. “Peace process is in peril as the Maoists have failed to reconcile with the multi-party politics.” He also said that it is inappropriate to link the issue of the management of the Maoist combatants with the drafting of the new constitution.
Mahat, who is also a member of Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation, claimed that the Maoists were not ready to follow the committee´s directives. The cantoned combatants are still under the direct control of the Maoists even as they are fed from the state treasury.
UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the Maoist combatants had not been managed even 19 months, though it was agreed that they would be managed within six months after the CA election.
Maoist leader Barsha Man Pun said the Maoists were fearful that the new constitution may not be written on time. “While the Maoists have fears that the new constitution may not be drafted once the cantonments are emptied, the Nepali Congress and UML have apprehensions that Maoist may use combatants in the election,” said Pun. “The middle path to address both these concerns is to take the army integration and constitution drafting process hand in hand.”
Pun said that promulgation of the new constitution by the May 28 deadline is possible if the political parties in the CA stop making decisions for petty strategic interests. He also suggested top leaders of the NC, UML and Maoists to sit together to resolve the differences.
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