Seems like we are heading into a political deadlock.
The Maoist hardliners want full integration of their military cadres into the mainstream Nepali army.
Other political parties including the NC, UML and MJF are opposed to that idea.
Though they sound unreasonable at times, the NC, UML and MJF have made a valid point regarding this issue. How can you have politically indoctrinated army as the national army? Will they be more responsible to the nation or to the partisan interests of CPN Maoists? The latter is inevitable - the way they have been trained.
The Nepali army is not without shortcomings. This does not mean that they require the Maoist army to join them to improve. Their effectiveness will, in no way, be increased by the influx of Maoist military cadres.
Mohan Baidya, a hardliner Maoist, has already made his intents clear. "You cannot measure the chests of the Maoist army for integration. It has to be on a group basis." Baidya, whose chest measurement is way lower than what the army requires, is bound to make statements like that. The sad part is that this represents a view of a good number of Maoists.
Amid this growing tension of army integration, the NC exposes that the Maoists are on a mission to make Nanda Kishor Pun, Pasang, as the new Commander in Chief of the Nepal Army. CP Gajurel seemed to hint the same today in his intereview with the press. Even more reasons to be suspicious of the Maoists.
Last time in a cultural program (which I attended) of the Maoists, they said that the present government isn't being able to perform well. "Everything else is just the same, only the leadership is ours, how can we expect anything? Until the bureaucracy, judiciary, police, army, and so on are Maoist-ized we won't be able to perform well." Total control of the state - that's what they want.
This issue of army integration seems to be getting messier by the day.
Personally I hope that it is better to have troubles now, than have troubles later as a result of openly recruiting the Maoist army into the Nepali Army.
How many of the Maoist army men have passed class 10? We should also strictly monitor people's educational capacities.
An emotional decision is not appropriate. Let's think of our army's standards, and everything when we try to modernize our army.
Let's hope this issue cools down soon enough. Let's hope for no more of any bloodshed. But, let's remember Martin Niemoller and think of the future as well before we make rash decisions.
Alternate Solutions
- Some people have long raised the idea of incorporating the Maoist army men in the Border Security Force or Industrial Force. That is much better than army integration.
- The Maoist army has fought for the Maoist party. They are Maoists, and their allegiance is to the Maoist party. Why don't they work as Maoist cadres openly rather than getting into the national army and then creating further chaos within the army as well? The Maoists should incorporate their fighters into their political wing. That way everyone will benefit.
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I agree that maoist combatants should not be integrated into the national army as it will create more problems than solves. I hope that the people in power realise this and dont integrate maoist's so called people's army into the national army.
It seems highly unlikely that any other alternative would be chosen. Let's hope that this process is carried out as carefully and peacefully as possible.