The peace process in Nepal is nearing conclusion after many a summer. A new move has been made with the integration of over 1,450 former Maoist fighters in the Nepal army. No longer are there two armies in the country. It had created much chaos since the end of the civil war in 2006. Nepal politics had been destablised by the former guerrillas of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) not having demobilised. Maoists made it an issue of political bargaining. They demanded inclusion of PLA guerrillas in the Nepal army as a precondition for ushering in a democratic government. Other parties in the alliance objected as did the Nepal army which was suspicious of Maoist intentions. On the other hand, the rehabilitation of the guerrillas remained a big question. Until it was done, the threat of a Maoist takeover remained. Now all sides have agreed to take Maoist fighters into the army. The PLA has been dissolved.
It has to be seen that the 15, 000 guerrillas who have chosen to retire are fully rehabilitated. There are rumours that some of them have joined a radical Maoist group and are preparing to start military operations. Nepal’s politics is still in chaos. The permanent Constitution is yet to be drafted. The Constituent Assembly has been dissolved. Discussions for fresh elections have not produced any results. Nothing could be more alarming than going back to the troubled times of 1996. The delay in achieving political stability has choked economic development. Economic regeneration is essential and to bring it about the 14 parties in the alliance must close ranks.
