Army Chief warns against ideological orientation of Maoist cadres who could possibly join the armed forces; Incidents of violence in Terai continuing; UN allocates more than $100 million in aid for post-conflict reconstruction
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    • Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal has asserted that any ideological orientation of Maoist cadres who could be possibly inducted into the Army would not be tolerated. He was commenting on the interim statute which stated that a ‘high-level military commission would be formed to look after the two armies — Nepali Army and the PLA’ during the CA elections1. Prime Minister Koirala has also talked about ‘adjusting’ the Maoist combatants in other sectors such as those providing industrial security2. Prachanda has however vociferously raised objections to both these statements stating that they were against the ‘letter and spirit’ of the interim constitution3.

    Reports noted that the sporadic incidents of violence continuing in the Terai region suggested that the leadership of the CPN was not that effective in the proper control of its cadres. The Young Communist League (YCL) has been at the center of much of this violence. Maoist President Prachanda has issued statements that action would be taken. CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has on his part claimed that such activities would have a detrimental effect on the peace process and the constituency assembly (CA) polls4.

    Among other developments, UK's ambassador to Nepal Andrew Hall in a recent statement has urged the political parties’ to hold the CA elections on time. The UK provides financial assistance worth $90million every year to Nepal5. In a related development, the United Nations has decided to allocate more than $104 million in aid for Nepal’s post-conflict reconstruction6. Reports also noted that Secretary General Ban ki-Moon had also decided against any downsizing of the UN presence in Nepal, considering it an important factor in the maintaining of a conducive environment for elections7.

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