FORMER MAOIST COMMANDER CLLS FOR DIGNIFIED INTEGRATION Kathmandu, 6 July: UCPN-Maoist Politburo member and former PLA commander Chandra Prakash Khanal ‘Baldev’ Thursday hinted that that the number of combatants to be integrated into Nepal Army may go down unless there is a dignified integration, The Rising Nepal reports from Rupendhaehi. Leader Khanal stressed that the combatants must be integrated with due respect as per the spirit of the 7-point pact reached among the political parties. Addressing an orientation meeting organized by the Former PLA Association of Abadh-Madhesh chapter, former deputy commander and spokesperson of PLA Khanal said that the PLA combatants are still dissatisfied the educational qualifications, age bar and other standards fixed by NA. "Because of the tough standard of recruitment, there is the possibility that many aspiring combatants may be disqualified. So, we have reserved the voluntary retirement option open for them," Khanal said. He revealed that only 2,600 PLA combatants are opting for integration right now out of the total of 3,123 who had opted for integration earlier. Replying a query of journalists, Khanal said that the questions prepared with ill intention by Nepal Army to be asked during the selection process will not be acceptable. The process of uniting and organizing former PLA combatants is underway nationwide, Khanal said. He disclosed that 155-member central committee of ex-combatants has been formed headed by PLA commander Nanda Kishwor Pun. "Till now, more than 13,000 PLA combatants have joined the organization. They will play an active role in economic revolution in the country," the former PLA commander said. The ex-fighters will be mobilised for productive works, he said. Maoist combatants integration begins Meanwhile a report received from Kailali the process of integrating Maoist combatants into Nepal Army began at PLA Sixth Division at Talaband of Kailali district on Thursday. A 10-member recruitment team led by Colonel Arjun Khadka of Teghari Barrack of Kailai has set up a selection centre at the division headquarters. Khadka informed that the process of recruitment started on Thursday after the formation of the recruitment centre. Currently, PLA combatants are living only in main cantonment at Talaband and two satellite camps at Badaipur and Gorge. Nepal Army has informed that all the combatants have been called to the main division at Talaband for recruitment process as it is only the recruitment centre. The recruitment team of Nepal Army has informed that the recruitment process would continue till third week of July. Meanwhile, according to our Ilam correspondent, the stalled recruitment process of PLA First Division in Chulachuli, Ilam, has resumed on Thursday. The recruitment process was halted following a dispute over question sheet on Wednesday. The process was halted after the combatants strongly protested and threatened not to participate in recruitment process citing tough standard of selection fixed by the army. A recruitment team led by Colonel Sushil Karki resumed the recruitment process. A total of 275 combatants are taking part in the recruitment process in the First Division. Likewise, according to our Chitawan correspondent, integrated process began at the PLA’s Third Division at Shaktikhor on Thursday. A 22-member recruitment team has initiated the process by distributing application forms. nnnn RAMECHAP SHAMANS REFERPATIENTS TOHOSPITALS Kathmandu, 6 July: The professional shamans of Ramechhap districts have started believing in modern treatment of different ailments: they have been referring the patients for doctors’ treatment as their traditional healing method can never cure all forms of diseases and physical illness, The Rising Nepal report from Ramechap . The shamans of the district are now aware that they shouldn’t take risk over anyone’s health and life. Many professional shamans of the district are asking the people to go for doctor’s check-up if they found that their illness couldn’t be cured through the traditional healing method. Kedar Prasad Dhungel of Bhatauli who started his profession as a shaman in 2039 B.S said that he had cured many illnesses which couldn’t be cured by the doctors. However, if they found that their spiritual power couldn’t heal any sorts of illness then it’s their responsibility to tell the people to go for medical checkup. As their profession is aimed at realising social welfare, they are not allowed to play with anyone’s health, added Dhungel. He said still there are numerous people who still believe in the power of shamanism strongly. Not only the 55 VDCs of Ramechhap, but the people from other adjoining districts are also visiting him for their treatment, he added. "If he found that the illness of the person couldn’t cured by his power and knowledge then he immediately refer them for medical treatment." "I can’t break the trust of people. If my power couldn’t heal anyone’s illness then there is no reason of making people wait for long", said Dhungel. Dhungel who also worked as a teacher in local school, urged all his junior shamans of the district not to show fake hopes for the people only in a lust of money. Ram Bahadur Sharki, another shaman of Bhaluwajor, Lisimpani said many people of the district first visit shamans if they fall sick. However, the people shouldn’t trust shaman blindly, he added. He said shamanism is based on faith of people. Thus, if his power couldn’t cure people’s illness then he refer them for medical treatment, he added. Kumari B.K, a female shaman of Kathjor, said that it is true that the physical illness could only cure through the medical treatment. The shamanism couldn’t cure physical illness, she added. She said she couldn’t play with the life of people, so if their power is unable to work against any illness then she refers them for medical treatment. Chamey Damai of Ramechhap said only the half of the illness of the people could be cured by the shamans and remaining could be cured either through medical treatment or others. Sharing his bitter experience of trusting shamans, Damai said one of his relative lost his both eyes and one local woman died by having the faith on shamans healing power. Nnnn