MPRF unwilling to integrate Maoist combatants into Nepal Army

Kathmandu, Nov 3 (UNI) Nepalese Minister for Foreign Affairs Upendra Yadav today said his party -- Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) -- will not agree on the issue of integrating the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army.

''Those interested to join the army must be recruited on the basis of their qualifications,'' Kantipur quoted Mr Yadav as saying while speaking in Birgunj, near Indian border.

He said, ''They can be deployed for securities at border.'' The integration of the Maoists combatants has been a contentious issue as the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has also opposed the idea.

The government has formed a committee under the chairmanship of Home Minister Bamdev Gautam including two Maoist ministers and one representative of the MPRF. However, the NC has refused to join the committee.

Mr Yadav said the government must make proper arrangements for the Maoist combatants, who are interested in foreign employment or education.

''Integrating political activists into the national may raise threat to the country,'' he said.

He also informed that the government was holding informal talks with the armed groups of the Terai region.

Mr Yadav, who represents Terai, said the government will take action against those who do not participate in the talks.

''The government is ready to solve problems of those organisations which are related to political issues,'' Mr Yadav said.

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