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Demobilization – 2007

The cantonment of the Maoist combatants started as soon as the United Nations Mission in Nepal was established on 23 January 2007. In a press statement on 23 February 2007, the UNMIN claimed that 32,250 Maoist combatants were registered either in the seven major cantonment sites or in the 21 satellite sites. A news report attested that the first phase of the registration of combatants was completed within one month. The UNMIN reported the results to the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) on March 8 confirming 31,252 personnel and 3,475 weapons.¹ The registered number of Maoist combatants later increased slightly to 32,250.² Once the cantonment process was complete, the UNMIN had to verify the registered combatants, in order that those unqualified for reintegration could be demobilized. This verification process was completed by the end of 2007. Accordingly, the UNMIN began the second phase of the registration on 19 June 2007. The second phase involved collecting the age of the recruits, as well as the date of their recruitment, so as to establish their eligibility as combatants. This process started on 19 June 2007.³ Those who were disqualified and those who were qualified but opted out of reintegration were to be subsequently demobilized.

1. “UN Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/235), April 26, 2007.
2. Ameet Dhakal, “The People’s Liberation Army (PLA),” Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), 2009.
3. “UNMIN and peace process Not properly utilized,” Himalayan Times, November 5, 2010.