Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepal is at risk of a military escalation. The army is recruiting more soldiers, whilst Maoist rebels are stockpiling weapons. This came to light after a team sent by the United Nations Security Council carried out inspections in a Maoist camp in Chulachuli and army barracks in Chauni.
The terms of to the 2006 peace accord said that Maoist fighters must return to civilian life or join the Nepali armed forces. However, this is either not happening or happening very slowly.
Next Sunday, the Maoists are planning new protests against the government, which it accuses of violating the rights of the population.
For Chief of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Karin Landgren, the peace process is still unfinished business. Maoist camps have stockpiles of weapons and armed men, whilst the army is still recruiting.
In 2006, after ten years of armed struggle, Maoist guerrillas joined seven parties from the old regime to set up a constituent assembly.
The agreement they signed under aegis of the United Nations called for the disarmament of the fighters and their incorporation into the armed forces.
In 2008, the Maoists under their leader Prachanda won the elections, but Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav, fearful of too much Maoist power, refused to have former Maoist rebels incorporated into the armed forces. This led to Prachanda’s resignation on 4 May.
About 19,000 former rebel fighters are still waiting to be reintegrated into civilian life.
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