Nepal Maoists hand over weapons as dual security system ends

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Maoists today were in the final stages of handing over their weapons as part of a deal to end the dual security system for the top leaders of the former rebels.

"We have begun collecting weapons and have kept them at the Nayabazaar-based residence of Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and the process of returning PLA security personnel to their respective camps will begin from Sunday," Barshaman Pun, member of the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, was quoted as saying by Himalayan Times online.

The dual security provided to Nepal's Maoist leaders is set to end today. The process is part of a deal to push forward the 2006 stalled peace process in the country.

The Army Integration Special Committee (AISC), which is tasked to look into issues of the integration of the former Maoist combatants into the security forces, has decided to remove Maoist personnel from the security of senior Maoist leaders.

Maoists secretary CP Gajurel said Nepal Police personnel would replace the PLA men.

"We are not opposing the party's decision to remove dual security but the process began without any work-plan and schedule," Gajurel said.

Some 95 registered weapons have been used for the security of Maoist leaders. The report quoted unnamed sources as saying that some 20 former PLA fighters were preparing to leave for their respective camps. Reports said the collected arms will be shifted to Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan for storage.

Nepal Maoists ended its decade-long civil war in 2006 and emerged as the single largest party in the 2008 Constituent Assembly, whose term was extended for the second time last month as it failed to draft a constitution.