Foreign Minister against merging of Maoist army

President of Madhesi People's Rights Forum and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav opposed the idea of merging the ideologically indoctrinated Maoist army into the national army.

President of Madhesi People's Rights Forum and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav on Monday opposed the idea of merging the ideologically indoctrinated Maoist army into the national army.

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Integration of Maoist army does not necessarily mean merging the combatants into the national army, he said.

"It would be detrimental for the nation to recruit political workers in the army," he said. He also advised to send interested Maoist combatants for foreign employment.

Talking to mediapersons in Birgunj, a southern Nepal town, Yadav said the Maoist combatants can be included in the border security force.

Only those combatants who are qualified and meet the criteria can be recruited on individual basis, he said.

The five member Special Committee for Army integration led by Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam plunged into controversy right from the beginning after Nepali Congress decided to stay away from the committee citing the Maoists' highhandedness.