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Military Reform – 2012

The main political parties finally agreed in December 2011 to integrate 6,500 combatants into the Nepalese Army.¹ Ex-combatants went through the re-verification process and they were given options either to opt for a voluntary retirement, join the Nepalese Army or rehabilitate.² In terms of allocating positions to the integrated Maoist combatants, the Nepal Army had proposed to give 64 combatants the rank of major, 120 combatants the captain, 96 lieutenants and 120 second lieutenants. In doing so, the army had counted the cut-off date on rank determination. They also argued that its cadets enrolled in 1996 had so far given the rank of major. The army had took the position that the combatants at the lower rank need to complete a nine-month training and those at the office level need to go 20-month training after completing the bridge course. The NA was against the unit-wise entry as the combatants were looking for.³

The integration was to occur on an individual basis, which was contrary to what the Maoist leader had promised the PLA combatants: group entry into the Nepalese army, rank considerations based on combatantsÕ current level of education, and high ranking positions to PLA commanders. Internal divisions with the party and discontent among combatants created a security threat to the PLA commanders in cantonments. The Maoist party chairman made a dramatic decision that the Nepalese Army should take control of the cantonments, combatants and the weapon containers. Wthin a day, all the cantonments and weapons came under the control of the Nepal Army.⁴ This development, perceived as a betrayal by many in the cantonment sites, led to a large decline in the number of those wanting to be part of the government army. The number of combatants seeking integration declined from 9,705 in the initial re-grouping process down to 3,194.⁵

The integration process however became contentious among former Maoist combatants as the process moved similar to new recruitment in the Nepal Army. As a result, the former Maoist combatants asked the Maoist party and its Chairman to negotiate with other political parties for the respectable integration. Alternatively, the former combatants asked the Maoist party to take a decision to send all combatants for voluntary retirement if other parties remained inflexible.⁶ Reintegration process started in the second week of September. As of 14 September 2012, among combatants willing to join the national army, only 1,647 were selected for the integration of which 86 former Maoist combatants were selected for officer positions. Remaining combatants opted for voluntary retirement and received reintegration package.⁷

1. «Number of NA aspirants sees a free fall,» Kathmandu Post, abril 18, 2012.
2. «Parties divided on ways to reduce PLA number for integration,» Kathmandu Post, diciembre 19, 2011.
3. «Army shows further flexibility on PLA integration,» Kathmandu Post, febrero 16, 2012.
4. «Army takes charge of PLA fighters, weapons,» Kathmandu Post, April 2012.
5. «Number of NA aspirants sees a free fall,» Kathmandu Post, abril 18, 2012.
6. «Former PLA commanders urge early decision on integration,» Kathmandu Post, julio 31, 2012.
7. «1,647 to be vetted for integration process,» My Republica, septiembre 14, 2012.