Nepal's Maoist fighters Saturday began the process of leaving the camps they have called home since the end of their insurgency in 2006, to join the regular army or start new lives. The historic transition follows a breakthrough peace deal signed on November 1 by the Maoists and the three other major political parties which paved the way for life beyond the cantonments for the battle-hardened ex-rebels.
"It's a critical time in their lives. It's also challenging and demanding for us," said Balananda Sharma, a retired lieutenant general who is overseeing the integration of the 19,000 ex-rebels into the army and Nepalese society. The fighters formed a queue snaking around a hill at the Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan, about 220 kilometres (150 miles) south-west of Kathmandu, to ask army monitors in blue jackets about their options for the future.
Under the deal, 6,500 fighters will be integrated into the Nepalese Army while the remainder choose between retirement payoffs of 500,000 to 800,000 rupees ($6,300-$10,200) and a rehabilitation package that includes vocational training. "I've wanted to join the army since my childhood. Seven years ago I attended a few programmes organised by the Maoists and joined them because their policies attracted me," said former combatant Bikash Shahi, 28.
Sharma said those opting for the payoff would get their cash in two instalments, one year apart, while those who went for the training packages would be counselled by career experts. The rest of the thousands of former fighters will leave the camps over the coming days. "The issue of Maoist fighters is the most important aspect of the peace process and the regrouping is the first major step towards it." There are more than 19,000 former fighters confined to seven cantonments across Nepal.
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