Do not integrate Maoists with the Army, says Poudel

Kathmandu, Oct 3 : Nepali Congress Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel has said that the Maoist combatants should be integrated into the structure of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

Speaking at a function organized by the Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation on Thursday, Poudel said that the Maoist combatants should be rehabilitated instead of integrating them in the Nepal Army.

"The rebel army has nothing to do now since the Maoists have entered mainstream politics," he added.

He said that the Maoist leadership was using only the word 'integration' even though the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) reached with the then government clearly states that the combatants would be either integrated or rehabilitated.

He criticised the Maoists for failing to honour past agreements and misusing the state treasury for partisan interests.

He also urged the coalition partners in the current government to check the unruly activities of the Maoist cadres, Kantipur reported.

ANI