Despite progress risks remain in Nepal peace process, feels UN

Notwithstanding some positive developments in recent weeks, the United Nations feels that there are still risks to the peace process in Nepal as it enters a “crucial and sensitive period”.

Updated on: Jan 22, 2010, 13:47:23 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Notwithstanding some positive developments in recent weeks, the United Nations feels that there are still risks to the peace process in Nepal as it enters a “crucial and sensitive period”.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council agreed to extend the deadline of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) till May 15 this year—by which time the peace process is expected to come to a logical conclusion.

“There are still risks to peace process. There have been provocative actions, expression of dissent or wavering commitment to the process and some serious confrontations,” said Karin Landgren, representative of the Secretary General to Nepal here on Friday.

She, however, added that the period since December 16 appeared to be the most positive in the peace process for quite some time.

Landgren termed the commitment by government and Maoists in principle to a time-bound plan for integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist rebels as one of the most positive development in recent times.

The discharge of 820 disqualified Maoist rebels from cantonments and the process to rehabilitate them and the setting up of a high-level political mechanism to speed up the constitution drafting process were termed as other positive steps.

Landgren stated that the commitment to integrate and rehabilitate former Maoists into security forces within the next 112 days as an “ambitious timeframe” as it was a very tight deadline.

She stated that the debate surrounding en masse integration of the former rebels into the Nepal Army is an important issue that needs to be addressed through consensus and compromise by the parties involved.

“This is a crucial and sensitive period for the peace process. We encourage all parties to exercise great restraint and to continue to engage as productively as they have done recently,” said Langren.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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