UPDATE ON START OF PROCESS TO RECORD PREFERENCES OF FORMER MAOIST PLA FIGHTERS

UPDATE ON START OF RECORDING OF PREFERENCES OF FORMER FIGHTERS IN NEPAL ARMY AND SOCIETY TO COMPLETE PEACE PROCESS
Kathmandu, 19 Nov.: Recording of preferences of 19,000 plus
former Maoist PLA fighters began being recorded at cantonments spread throughout the country Saturday
Recording preferences by 210 surveyors proceeded.

The process started with some interruption at cantonments in
Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Sindhuli and Ilam amid delays.
Results of the first day’s work are still being compiled until late evening.
Recording of preferences didn’t get off in Kailali in the far-West where recording of three choices will start Sunday;/ difficulties were encountered in Surkhet as well.

First Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa asked fighters not to join the integration process.
Many former fighters have opted to join integration process despite the appeal under a separate directorate under Nepal Army against whom
the Maoists fought a 10-year insurgency.
Despite claims, Maoists couldn’t defeat Nepal Army even as India, USA and UK—the main suppliers of arms and ammunition to the state
army—enforced an arms and ammunition embargo after King Gyanendra imposed a three-year direct rule during the insurgency.
The embargo hasn’t been fully restored even after monarchy
was toppled.
Inclement weather, lack of internet connection, improper supporting documents hindered the recording process and other technical and logictisc problems disrupted or delayed the process.

The combatants were verified by UNMIN, a political agency of
the UN which withdrew 15 January, are being recorded.
Work is expected to be completed in another 10 days.
RSS adds: The Maoist combatants have been enthusiastically cooperating with the regrouping that began Saturday, said Maoist PLA Spokesman Chandra Prakash Khanal.

We will cooperate as far as possible with the special committee members, officers and computer operators participating in the regrouping, who reached the cantonments, he told RSS.

Khanal said the Maoist PLA headquarters had given directives to cooperate in the regrouping to all the commanders and works have started.

“We have earlier done preliminary studies of those going for integration, rehabilitation and on voluntary retirement”, he said, adding “the peace process will now be completed”.

Khanal was of the view that the dissatisfaction seen in the seventh division camp of the Maoist army at Talband cantonment will not make any difference.

They had expressed disenchantment, saying the integration
works in the Talband cantonments were not satisfactory.
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THREE DEAD IN TWO ROAD ACCIDENTS IN TWO
DISTRICTS SATURDAY
Kathmandu, 19 Nov.: One person died and another was seriously
injured in a
motorcycle, tripper collision at Dhulikhel, Kavre, Saturday.




Two died in another accident in Surunga, Jhapa, Saturday.

A Maruti van hit and killed the two cyclists.
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THREE PARTY LEADERS JOINTLY LAUNCH SINDHDUPALCHOWK FESTIVAL

Kathmandu.10 Nov.: Sindhupalchowk festival at Chautara was
launched Saturday by Maoist Chairman Prachanda, senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
The festival will continue for five days.
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BRIG. GEN. RUBY JUNG RANA DEAD
Kathmandu, 19 Nov.: Brig. Gen. Dr. Ruby Jung Rana died 7 November, Shri Birendra Hospital, Chauni, announced Saturday on the 13 day of his death.
He was former chief of the Nepal Army hospital and a royal physician.
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