Kathmandu – Around three hundred former Maoist People’s Liberation Army militants, who were discharged from PLA cantonments after the peace process began in Nepal, have padlocked the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) headquarters in Paris Danda on Monday afternoon.
The PLA combatants, who were discharged from cantonments after they were found to be ‘ineligible’ for integration into the Nepal Army, padlocked the Maoist headquarters, seeking ‘justice’ and ‘fair treatment’ from both the party and the state.
Former combatant Lenin Bista, who is also the Coordinator of the Discharged People’s Liberation Army, claimed that they also locked some CPN-MC central leaders, including Hitman Shakya, Shri Ram Dhakal, Prakash Pokharel, inside the party headquarters for the whole night.
“It has been proved that Maoists used us only for their cause. They intentionally used us as the ladder to the state,” Bista told Moolbato. “We spent our productive age in the war for the betterment of the country and the oppressed. But, neither the oppressed class was free from exploitation, nor did the poor people achieve the dreams that they were assured of during the war,” he said.
“The party betrayed us” he added.
Bista also claimed that they padlocked the headquarters to pressurize their mother party, the CPN (Maoist Centre) – who is in the government – so as to get fulfilled their genuine demands.
They have been demanding for justice through reparation packages, including financial aid, release of arrested ex-combatants, ensure free treatment for those who got injured during the People’s War, among others.
More than 4,008 Maoist ex-combatants were disqualified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for integration into the Nepal Army stating either being ‘underage’ or being late entrants to the PLA.
Notably, who were discharged being ‘ineligible’, were assured of Rs.2 lakh each to facilitate their return to the society. But, they claimed they have never been provided such money.
Police intervene the protest and arrest around 161 ex-combatants
Police on Tuesday afternoon intercepted their protest and arrested around 161 ex-combatants from Paris Danda.
Discharged PLA Coordinator, Bista admitted that police arrested as many as 161 discharged combatants. He also said they would continue their struggle until their demands were met.
Many female combatants, cradling babies on their arms, too, had gathered the headquarters to pressurise the government in order to get their genuine demands fulfilled.
The arrestees have been kept at Metropolitan Police Circle Singhadurbar, Mahendra Police Club, Anamnagar and Police Circle Teku.
They also warned of new ‘armed struggle’ if the government and the mother party turn a deaf ear to their demands.
