The leaders of Nepali Congress and UML particularly the former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Shushil Koirala, Ram Chandra Poudel are making big polluted noises on PLA-Nepal Army integration. In fact, these leaders should not be allowed to speak whether to integrate PLA into Nepal Army or not? Like Nepali Congress party as a whole, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ram Chandra Poudel and Shushil Koirala speak double standard talks. One time all Nepali Congress leaders kept their mouth tight zipped thinking they will win CA election and form Government under the First Nepali President Girija Prasad Koirala and this likely government as a gesture will assimilate the PLA into Nepal Army. Nepali Congress leaders and Maoists had a secret agreement then. Failing to see this, Nepali Congress changed their stance and motive. Otherwise, they were ready to integrate PLA into Nepal Army. So, when Nepali Congress talks about the integration of PLA with Nepal Army that means Nepali Congress is talking about its interests and not the interests of Nepali people and the nation. Therefore, what Nepali Congress talks should not be given that much importance. However, PLA's integration into Nepal Army cannot be accepted unless and until the victims of Maoists are given first priority.

PLA members are the kids of Nepalese who were used by the Maoists for their benefits. These kids are completely brainwashed. They are taught just to do whatever their commanders say. They know nothing about the conscience. What is good and what is bad are completely out of their reach. These kids are the future of Nepal. They should be adjusted elsewhere. They should be given education, they should be sent to schools. These kids should not face the situations of Bhutanese refugees in the camps of Eastern Nepal. It is because of the Nepali Congress, Red Maoists, colorless communists- UML, Madhes based parties, former pancha parties RJP, RPP, these PLA kids are facing severe problems in the cantonments. These kids are facing severe human rights abuse from the Maoists leaders and their commanders. The United Nations is doing nothing except making useless comments on internal matters of Nepal to promote the cause of the Christianity under the disguise of European Union. At the same time, the United Nations is clandestinely working to destabilize the region especially northern part. The promotion of Christianity, destabilization of PR China, dragging PR China and India into play in Nepal’s land are the dangerous hidden agendas that may cripple Nepal’s different vital issues like building the Federal Republic Constitution, providing economic relief to the people, development of Nepal, maintaining peace and security and the very important issue of PLA-Nepal Army integration.

The Political Committee which is about to take shape to oversee the PLA and Nepal Army integration cannot be regarded as complete without the representation from the Maoists victims' side. An expert from the civic society and the members from the Nepal Army should also be included in the committee. PLA's integration into Nepal Army must not be done in a haste manner. It will have far reaching consequences. PLA-Nepal Army integration may provoke the people of Madhes, the plain lands. They might demand their share or the establishment of the different brigade with the Madhesi population only in it to oversee the security of Madhes. The Tharu communities that do not consider themselves as Madhesis might also want their own army brigades. Other parties will opt to form their paramilitary organizations and later demand for the integration into Nepal Army. Nepal Army’s strength would be three hundred thousands then and its budget will rise to four fold. Nepal’s economy is already in a poor state and dependent on remittance of the Non Resident Nepali (NRN). The NRN were not given consideration in Nepal’s political spectrum. They were made contributor not benefactor and the Federal Republic Nepal is rejecting their major role. The NRN were never consulted even at the time of appointing Nepal’s ambassadors. Without the help of NRN, Nepal’s diplomatic missions could fail in performing a smallest of its tasks. The NRN must be consulted not only in appointing diplomatic appointments but also in choosing economic development foundations. This NRN’s single call might completely paralyze Nepal’s economy thus creating overall havoc. It is thus, there is no question that the NRN will ever support of keeping useless Nepal Army in hundreds of thousand numbers. The Nepal Army has lost its dignity after failing to protect its supreme commander, the King.

If Nepal Army’s strength reached up to three hundred thousands upon the PLA-Nepal Army integration and followed by the demands of different sections and organizations, the democracy will be put under perennial threat. The likely military coup can imperil the functioning of the government. When a Nepal Army is not listening to the government and goes on to do what it likes, everything can happen with such an uncontrolled institution. Its attempt at present to fulfill the vacancy of three thousand staffs without government approval does not stand as per the Constitution and the rules and regulations of Nepal. Simply, Nepal Army is disobeying the orders of Nepal Government. The Nepal Government is showing its weaknesses by not sacking Chief Of Army Staff R. Katawal and other high-ranking generals. They should have sacked immediately and put under trial for disobeying the orders and establishing wrong trends of breaking the chain of command.

Every serious matter must precede strict rules and regulations. Honesty and benefits for the nation as a whole is what each and everyone should consider first. It is time to discard our selfish motives. PLA-Nepal Army integration should be considered as one of the most serious matter and should be dealt prudently so as to avoid any future tragedy that might erupt from the ashes of PLA-Nepal Army integration.

Bishal Shah Chairman, Nepali Nationalists Organization (NNO)

(Note from the Nepal Horizons Editorial Team: The views and opinion expressed in this article are that of the author and not of NHC. We request individuals with interest in Nepal to submit their views on contemporary Nepalese issues to the following e-mail address: editor@nepalhorizons.com.  Pictures of contributors or images that relate to submissions are welcome)