Nepal marks integration of former Maoist combatants into national army

The integration process of former Maoist combatants has formally been completed with the induction of 70 Maoist commanders into Nepali Army (NA) as the lieutenants on Monday. Earlier, a total of 1352 former combatants had already entered the junior ranks of the national army in July after completing the basic course. NA organized a special function on Monday to remark the formal end of integration process of Maoist combatants. The total number of ex-Maoist combatants joining NA through political decision has reached 1462. Nepal government and the then rebel Maoist in 2006 signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ending the 10-year long insurgency. At the same time, Nepal government agreed to induct some combatants into security agencies. With the signing CPA, the government and Maoist party had agreed to integrate the eligible combatants into security agencies and send others for volunteer retirement. United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) verified around 19,000 Maoist combatants as eligible candidates for security agencies in 2007. Nepal united UNMIN for managing the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and UNMIN has already left the country. Out of 19000 combatants, altogether around 1462 Maoist combatants joined NA and rest went for volunteer retirement and rehabilitation package.