In the six-point deal signed before extending the Constituent Assembly (CA) term, the major parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML -- and United Democratic Madhesi Front had agreed to conclude the remaining tasks of the PLA integration by December 15. [break]
NC leader Minendra Rijal held the government responsible for the delay in the process.
“The Maoists and the government led by them should have been sincere in implementing the deal, but it is not,” said Rijal who is also a member of the Special Committee for the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
According to Rijal, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is expected to present a detailed roadmap of the integration process at a meeting slated for November 17.
“The prime minister will have to present a concrete basis for the completion of the peace process,” said Rijal.
There is uncertainty over the second phase of the integration process. But the Maoists have stated that they are sincere toward implementing the deal as soon as possible.
“We face various problems during a political transition. So the delay should not be misconstrued,” said Ganga Shrestha, personal secretary of the prime minister.
The Maoists also defaulted on the agreement to return the seized properties.
As per the deadline set in the seven-point peace deal, the Maoists were to return to the rightful owners the properties seized by November 24, but the Maoist establishment failed to abide by the agreement due mainly to opposition from the hardline faction.
“It is the responsibility of the government to implement the agreement to return the seized properties, but not even a token task has been done,” said Rijal.
But Shrestha argued that the prime minister is committed to implementing the agreement as soon as possible.
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