Regrouping process starts in PLA cantonments in Nepal

Regrouping of the members of the former Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M)'s People 's Liberation Army (PLA) combatants has started in three of the seven main cantonment sites (MCS) from Friday. Survey official teams accompanied by computer operators started regrouping process in the MSC located in Nawalparasi, Chitwan and Kailali districts while the process will start in four other cantonments from Saturday, reports from the districts said. The team members of the Special Committee will profile combatants and divide them into integration, rehabilitation and voluntary retirement groups. As per the action plan passed by the Army Integration Special Committee, the regrouping process will conclude on Nov. 28. The teams will categorize about 19,000 UCPN-Maoist combatants who have been languishing in 28 cantonments, including 21 satellite cantonments across the country. As the most important part of Nepal's peace process, a maximum of 6,500 combatants will be integrated into a new General Directorate of the Nepal Army while the remaining will be either provided with rehabilitation package or voluntary retirement with cash assistance.